The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

What The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation does

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation is a federally chartered independent agency established by Congress in 1975 and signed into law by President Gerald Ford as the living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The Foundation administers the Truman Scholarship, a premier graduate fellowship that provides $30,000 for graduate studies to college students committed to careers in government or the nonprofit sector. Candidates must be nominated by their institution from a pool of 305 participating colleges and universities, with a maximum of four nominees per institution per cycle. In 2026, the Foundation selected 55 Truman Scholars from 781 candidates nominated across those institutions, following interviews conducted through 17 regional review panels.

The Foundation's product portfolio extends beyond the core scholarship into a multi-decade scholar engagement ecosystem. This includes Truman Scholars Leadership Week (an annual orientation and networking program), the Summer Institute (an intensive leadership development program), and three fellowship programs: Truman-Albright Fellows (a gap year program placing scholars in public service roles in Washington, DC under the Foundation's federal hiring authority at 5 CFR 213.3102(r)), Truman Democracy Fellows, and Truman Governance Fellows. The Foundation also maintains an online application management system enabling campus advisors to submit and track nominations, supporting documents, and application status across the selection cycle.

The Foundation is funded through annual Congressional appropriations as a federal independent agency rather than through commercial revenue or private fundraising. It is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes the U.S. Secretary of Education as an ex officio member, with additional seats reserved for congressional appointees and Truman Scholar alumni. Current leadership includes President Janet Napolitano (former DHS Secretary and Arizona Governor), Executive Secretary Terry Babcock-Lumish, and General Counsel Ertharin Cousin. The organization operates from 712 Jackson Place NW in Washington, DC with a staff of 1-10 employees, and has named over 3,673 Truman Scholars since the first awards in 1977.

Name

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Legal name

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Website

https://truman.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation is a federally chartered independent agency that administers the Truman Scholarship, a $30,000 graduate fellowship for U.S. college students pursuing public service careers, supported by 17 regional review panels and a network of 305 nominating institutions, funded through annual Congressional appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Service Scholarships

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Government-Sponsored Scholarships & Exchange Funding (EDAIAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Degree-Level Scholarships (Undergrad/Masters/PhD/Postdoc) (EDAIAOAE), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Public service scholarships
• Graduate fellowship funding
• Leadership development programs
• Scholarship administration
• Government career preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Appropriations: As a federal agency established by Congress in 1975, the Foundation receives annual appropriations from the federal government to fund scholarship awards, leadership programs, and operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation administers the Truman Scholarship, a $30,000 graduate fellowship for U.S. college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a commitment to public service careers. The Foundation supports scholars through graduate funding, leadership training (Leadership Week, Summer Institute), career counseling, and federal internship/fellowship pathways including the Truman-Albright Fellows program. Candidates must be nominated by one of 305 participating U.S. colleges and universities, with selection conducted through 17 regional review panels and a final independent selection process.

Product overview

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation operates a single unified scholarship program with multiple associated leadership development modules. The core offering is the Truman Scholarship, a prestigious graduate scholarship for public service leaders. Supporting programs include Truman Scholars Leadership Week (orientation), Summer Institute (intensive training), Truman-Albright Fellows (gap year placements), Truman Democracy Fellows, and Truman Governance Fellows. The Foundation also maintains an online application portal for candidates and campus advisors to submit and manage applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Truman Scholars Leadership Week: Annual leadership program for newly selected Truman Scholars
• Summer Institute
• Truman-Albright Fellows
• Truman Democracy Fellows
• Truman Governance Fellows

Products and services

• Truman Scholarship Program The premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States, providing $30,000 for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and federal internship opportunities. For U.S. college juniors nominated by one of 305 participating institutions who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence.
• Truman-Albright Fellows Program A gap year fellowship program allowing Truman Scholars to serve in public service positions in the Washington, DC area while receiving professional development and mentorship through federal agencies using the Foundation's hiring authority. For newly selected and recent Truman Scholars seeking hands-on federal service experience.
• Truman Democracy Fellows A fellowship program supporting Truman Scholars engaged in democracy and civic participation initiatives. For Truman Scholars pursuing careers in civic engagement and democratic governance.
• Truman Governance Fellows A fellowship program for Truman Scholars focused on governance and public policy careers. For Truman Scholars pursuing careers in government and public policy.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Friends of the Truman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization supporting the Foundation's mission through fundraising and advocacy. Hosts events like the 45th Anniversary celebration at the French Ambassador's residence.
• Truman Scholars AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of Truman Scholar alumni that sponsors pre-interview meetups for finalists, organizes networking events, and supports the Truman Scholar community.
• Graduate School PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of universities that match or augment Truman Scholarship funding. Includes Princeton (all costs covered), Carnegie Mellon ($30,000 match), Duke ($30,000 match), Harvard ($30,000 match for 5 scholars/year), and 18+ other institutions offering tuition matching or support.
• Federal Government Hiring PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agencies that host Truman-Albright Fellows through the Foundation's hiring authority (5 CFR 213.3102(r)). Provides Pathways for Scholars to enter government service.
• U.S. Secretary of EducationcoreOthersBy statute, the U.S. Secretary of Education serves as an ex officio member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Current designee is Noah Pollak.
• Arizona State University, Graduate CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuarantees full-tuition award for up to two years in on-campus graduate programs for Truman Scholars.
• Brown University, The Watson InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommits to matching the $22,500 Truman Scholarship with a $22,500 award of its own.
• Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommits to matching the $30,000 Truman Scholarship with minimum $30,000 award for up to 10 Truman Scholars per academic year. Does not charge application fee.
• Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommits to matching the $30,000 Truman Scholarship with a $30,000 award for up to 5 Truman Scholars per academic year.
• Princeton University, School of Public and International AffairsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll costs beyond those covered by the $30,000 from the Foundation will be covered by the institution for Truman Scholars.
• Vanderbilt University Graduate SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides all costs related to tuition, fees, health insurance, and stipends (beyond the Truman Foundation's $30K) for up to five years for Scholars in doctoral-granting degree programs.
• Frank S. Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatches $30,000 Truman Scholarship with $30,000 award. Scholars eligible for research fellowship estimated at $63,000 for master's level and $130,000+ for PhD. Waives application fee.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Schwarzman Scholars: Premier privately funded master's scholarship at Tsinghua University for future leaders in public policy, business, and international affairs. Comparable as a selective graduate scholarship foundation building a leadership pipeline with global institutional partnerships.
• Rhodes Trust (Rhodes Scholarship): Prestigious international graduate scholarship foundation funded by an endowed trust. Comparable as a premier graduate fellowship for future leaders with a strong alumni network and institutional selection model, though privately funded and UK-based.
• Gates Cambridge Trust: Endowed scholarship trust funding graduate study at Cambridge. Comparable as a graduate scholarship trust selecting high-achieving applicants through institutional nominations, with strong alumni network programming.
• Marshall Scholarships (Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission): UK government-funded graduate scholarship for American students. Directly comparable as a government-sponsored graduate scholarship that selects future leaders, with similar selection-by-nomination model and leadership development programming.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: Large private foundation awarding scholarships and graduate fellowships to high-achieving students with financial need. Comparable as a graduate scholarship foundation with institutional partnerships and alumni programming.
• Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation: Independent federal executive branch agency established by Congress to award scholarships for students pursuing careers related to the environment, Native American public policy, and tribal health — closely comparable structure and federally chartered status to the Truman Foundation.
• Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation: Federally chartered scholarship foundation established by Congress that awards merit-based scholarships to college students — the most direct comparable as a federal scholarship foundation serving U.S. undergraduates with a similar institutional nomination model and Congressional funding.

Broad incumbents

• Peace Corps: U.S. federal agency deploying Americans for public service abroad. Comparable as a federally chartered public service leadership pipeline with strong post-service career outcomes, though focused on direct service rather than graduate education.
• AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service): Federal agency supporting public service through service-year programs and education awards. Comparable as a federally chartered pipeline for public service careers, though operating through direct service placement rather than graduate scholarship.
• U.S. Department of State's Fulbright Program: Premier U.S. government-sponsored scholarship and exchange program run by the State Department. Comparable as a federally sponsored scholarship brand focused on public service and leadership, though broader in scope (international) and delivered by a cabinet agency rather than an independent foundation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TrumanApp
• Facebookfacebook.com/TrumanScholarship
• Instagraminstagram.com/trumanfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harry-s-truman-scholarship

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation