The Harry S. Truman Scholarship 2027 is a prestigious U.S. scholarship opportunity for outstanding college students who are committed to pursuing careers in public service. The program provides up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, along with leadership development, mentoring, and other professional opportunities.
The 2027 competition is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions. Applicants must be nominated by their institution and demonstrate strong leadership, public service, academic potential, and a clear commitment to a public service career.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship 2027 Summary
- Host Country: United States of America
- Scholarship: Harry S. Truman Scholarship
- Host Organization: Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
- Study Level: Masterβs,Β PhD
- Eligible Applicants: U.S. citizens and eligible U.S. nationals
- Field of Study: Any major, provided the planned graduate study supports a public service career
- Deadline: February 2, 2027
- Application: Through institutional nomination and the official Truman application system
About the Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a merit-based award designed to identify and support college students who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a commitment to public service.
Although the scholarship is intended to fund graduate or professional education, applicants apply while they are still undergraduate students. Successful Scholars receive up to $30,000 toward a public service-related graduate degree and gain access to leadership development, mentoring, networking, and opportunities connected to public service careers.
The Foundation supports students pursuing a wide range of academic interests. Previous Truman Scholars have pursued fields including environmental management, biology, agriculture, engineering, technology, medicine, public policy, international relations, education, law, and public administration.
Benefits of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Successful Truman Scholars receive:
- Up to $30,000 toward a public service-related graduate degree.
- Access to extensive Truman Scholar leadership and professional development programs.
- Advising and mentoring from public service leaders.
- Opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.
- Preferred hiring opportunities with the federal government.
- Access to graduate school partnerships that can provide additional financial support.
- Membership in the Truman Scholar community.
The $30,000 award can be used toward eligible graduate-school expenses, including tuition and required fees, room and board, and books within the Foundation’s funding rules.
Some graduate school partners also provide matching scholarships or additional funding to Truman Scholars.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the 2027 Truman Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible U.S. national from American Samoa.
- Be enrolled at an accredited U.S.-based institution.
- Be in their penultimate year of study if completing a four-year degree, or in their final year if completing a degree in three years or fewer.
- Be nominated by their current institution or, in certain transfer cases, their former institution.
- Plan to attend graduate school and pursue a career in public service.
- Have a strong record of leadership and public or community service.
- Be in the upper quarter of their class under the 2027 competition requirements.
The scholarship is open to students from any academic major. Applicants may also consider graduate study either in the United States or internationally, provided their planned education supports their public service goals.
What Counts as Public Service?
The Truman Foundation defines public service broadly. It can include careers in:
- Government at the federal, state, or local level
- The uniformed services
- Public-interest organizations
- Non-governmental research and educational organizations
- Public and private schools
- Public-service-oriented nonprofit organizations
- Organizations working to help disadvantaged communities or protect the environment
This broad definition makes the scholarship relevant to students interested in areas such as environmental policy, humanitarian work, education, public administration, conservation, health, technology, and social development.
How to Apply for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship 2027
The Truman Scholarship does not operate as a normal direct scholarship application.
Step 1: Find your Truman Faculty Representative
Contact the Truman Scholarship advisor or Faculty Representative at your college or university. The Foundation recommends starting this process early because individual institutions may establish internal deadlines before the Foundation’s final deadline.
Step 2: Participate in Your University’s Nomination Process
Your institution must nominate you for the Truman Scholarship. Each eligible institution has its own process for selecting nominees.
For 2027, participating four-year institutions can nominate up to four students, with additional nominations available for eligible transfer students.
Step 3: Complete the Truman Application
Once you have been selected as your institution’s nominee, your Faculty Representative will register you in the Truman application system. You can then complete the application and policy proposal.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
The complete nomination package must be submitted to the Truman Foundation by:
February 2, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s time zone.
Step 5: Participate in the Selection Process
The Foundation’s Finalist Selection Committee reviews applications and selects approximately 200 finalists. Finalists participate in Regional Review Panel interviews before the final Scholars are selected.
π Required Documents
- Academic Transcripts
- Three additional letters of recommendation
- A nomination letter from the applicant's institution
- A policy proposal
- The completed Truman application form
- Three additional letters of recommendation
- Details of their proposed graduate education and public service career plans