#   Harry S. Truman Scholarship for Public Service 

 



**Application Deadline: October 27, 2025**



 

 

 

The [Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation](https://www.truman.gov/)—the federal memorial to our thirty-third President—awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation-funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving funding.

Harvard University endorsement required for national competition.



 

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###    Eligibility  expand\_more  

Applicants must be Harvard College juniors, and U.S. citizens, in the upper quarter of their class. (Harvard does not rank students; candidates with a GPA of 3.7 or above are likely to be qualified.) *Harvard University nomination required.*

 

 



###    Benefits  expand\_more  

Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.

 

 



###    Selection  expand\_more  

Candidates should be able to demonstrate significant and deep commitment to public service and leadership. Scholars are selected on the basis of:

- extent and quality of community service and government involvement;
- leadership record;
- academic performance, writing and analytical skills; and
- suitability of the proposed program of study for a career in public service

The Foundation defines public service as employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public service-oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment.

Harvard nominates candidates in early December. Those candidates are then supported as they enter the national competition.

 

 



###    Application Procedure  expand\_more  

Please complete the following pieces of your application by our internal deadline and share them with us via the Harvard University Funding Portal (link below).

- [Download the sample application forms](http://www.truman.gov/sample-application-forms/) and the sample Policy Memo from the Truman website. Answer all questions and compose the memo. Upload both the form and the memo in the application attachment section.
- Solicit three letters of recommendation within the Harvard University Funding Portal.
    - One must be written by someone who can attest to the applicant’s commitment to a career in public service.
    - Another must be written by a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s scholarship, intellectual capabilities and prospects for success in graduate school
    - The third must come from someone who can confirm and elaborate upon the leadership example the candidate described in **Item 7**.
    - Note well, **i**t is common for recommenders to talk about many qualities in their letters, but each of these should have a focus, as indicated. Within the system, you will designate them accordingly, but please ask your references to indicate which of these aspects of your candidacy they are addressing in their letters and to do so in the opening paragraph.
- Transcripts for any undergraduate institutions attended. Download your unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu. Must include current term courses.

 

 



 

 

 

 

##  Information Session 

**Friday, September 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM**

URAF staff are available for [drop-in advising](https://prod-fas004.drupalsites.harvard.edu/advising) and for one-on-one appointments after students have watched the information session and joined us for one drop-in session.

 

 [ Watch the latest Truman Scholarship information session arrow\_circle\_right ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/FAS-URAF-Harvard-Key-Protected-Resources/URAF%20Recordings%20Student%20Side/Truman%20-%20Recording.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=AB9pW3) 

 



 

 

 

##  Endorsement Application 

Application deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET  
Selection Committee interviews: Wednesday, December 3, 2025  
National deadline: Early February 2026

 

 [ Apply to the Truman Scholarship via HUFP arrow\_circle\_right ](https://btly.communityforce.com/4ospiq0) 

 



 

 

 

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 See also:- [ Postgraduate ](/opportunity-directory/postgraduate)
- [ Study Funding/Postgraduate Study ](/opportunity-directory/study-fundingpostgraduate-study)
- [ Junior ](/opportunity-directory/junior)
- [ Closed to applications ](/opportunity-directory/closed-applications)
- [ Harvard ](/opportunity-directory/harvard)
- [ US Citizen ](/opportunity-directory/us-citizen)
- [ Domestic ](/opportunity-directory/domestic)
- [ External Opportunity ](/opportunity-directory/external-opportunity)
- [ October ](/opportunity-directory/october)
- [ Requires Nomination/Endorsement ](/opportunity-directory/requires-nominationendorsement)