Truman Scholarship — Master's Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation supports college students preparing for public-service careers with graduate-school funding and scholar programming. The University of Oxford lists the award as an external funding option for eligible U.S. students coming to its Master of Public Policy.

The scholarship can support a domestic or international graduate degree that advances the recipient’s public-service plans. Applicants first need nomination from their current institution, or from a former institution in the case of transfer or community-college candidates.

Benefits & funding

Up to $30,000 toward graduate school.
Scholar programming, advising and mentoring from public-service leaders.
Priority admission and possible additional financial support from participating graduate-school partners.
Direct hiring authority with the U.S. federal government.

Eligibility

Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national resident in American Samoa, or expect to hold U.S. citizenship by the award date.
Be enrolled at an accredited institution based in the United States.
Be in the penultimate year of a program lasting four years or more, or the final year of a program lasting three years or fewer.
Obtain nomination from the current institution, or the former institution for an eligible transfer or community-college route.
Plan graduate study connected to a public-service career; any major, any age, and domestic or international graduate programs may qualify.
Attend Truman Scholars Leadership Week if selected and meet the Foundation’s reporting and public-service conditions.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Eligible nationalities
USA · American Samoa
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled

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Application process

1
Contact the institution’s Truman Scholarship advisor and complete its campus nomination process.
2
If nominated, submit the Foundation application, policy proposal, three recommendation letters and transcripts by 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s time zone on 2 February 2027.
3
The Finalist Selection Committee reviews nominated applications and invites approximately 200 finalists.
4
Finalists confirm participation and attend the Regional Review Panel assigned according to their home address.
5
Selected scholars attend the required Truman Scholars Leadership Week.

Program timeline

Foundation application deadline at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s time zone.
2 February 2027
Foundation confirms receipt of materials.
8 February 2027
Finalists notified.
15 February 2027
Finalist confirmation due by 9:00 a.m. ET.
18 February 2027
Finalist list posted.
19 February 2027
Regional Review Panels.
1 March–15 April 2027
Scholars announced.
23 April 2027
Truman Scholars Leadership Week.
25–30 May 2027