Fellowships
For juniors interested in a career in public service, government, education, or elsewhere in the public sector (broadly defined), the Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 towards graduate or professional school.
- What’s provided: $30,000 towards graduate or professional school, cohort activities in Washington, D.C.
- Location: U.S.
- Field of Study/Work/Focus Area/Industry: Any
- Program Type: Graduate school funding and cohort opportunities
- Duration: Dependent on graduate program
Eligibility
- Any age
- College junior
- U.S. Citizens, U.S. National residents of American Samoa, or those expecting their citizenship by the date of the award
Timeline
| Application launch | September 15, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Application advising | October 1, 2025 to November 16, 2025 |
| Campus deadline | November 17, 2025, 11:59 pm ET |
| National deadline | February TBD, 2026, 11:59 pm, applicant’s time zone |
How to Apply
The Truman Scholarship application requires the following:
- A completed sample application form, which can be downloaded from the Truman Scholarship website.
- (Note: For the campus deadline, students must complete the first page of the application form.)
- Full answers to essay questions 1-14 on the Truman application form.
- (Note: For the campus deadline, applicants are welcome to upload a separate Word doc or PDF with their responses to questions 1-14, should they wish to, rather than use the application form.)
- A two-page policy proposal.
- (Note: For the campus deadline, applicants can use the sample proposal form available on the Truman Scholarship website.)
- Three letters (3) of recommendation. Recommenders must be registered in UFunds and should be selected according to the following selection criteria:
- Intellect and Prospects for Continuing Academic Success: One letter must be written by a Brown faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic abilities and prospects for success in graduate school
- Commitment to a Career in Public Service: One letter must be written by someone – faculty member, supervisor, staff member – who can discuss the applicant’s commitment to a career in public service
- Leadership Abilities and Potential: One letter must be written by someone who can attest to the applicant’s leadership abilities and can ideally speak directly about the leadership example the applicant uses in question 7.
- (Note: Please have letters addressed to Joel Simundich, Assistant Dean of the College for Fellowships).
- An official Brown University transcript as well as an official transcript from any other school attended, either for study abroad or as a transfer student.
- (Note: An unofficial Brown University transcript will suffice for the campus deadline.)
Submit your complete application to UFunds by the campus deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET on November 17, 2025 for consideration in the campus nomination process.
For one-on-one support with this fellowship, sign up for open hours.