Are you interested in public service? Have you ever wanted to travel to Washington D.C. to experience firsthand the national policy process? The Truman Bootstrap Award may be the means to help you achieve this goal.

The Truman Center is celebrating Harry Truman’s legacy of public service with a “Bootstrap Scholarship” award that will permit two students who otherwise might not be able to do so to spend four weeks in Washington, D.C.

The goal is to introduce two qualified undergraduates who are interested in public service to the national policy process through a month-long immersion experience with the D.C. offices of the Missouri Congressional delegation or other offices as appropriate.

Student interns will be assigned to governmental offices (legislative or administrative) and will work with identified mentors while there, normally during the June summer academic session.

The internships will be available to students who meet the following criteria:

• Full-time status at UMKC as a rising junior or rising senior;

• Minimum UMKC GPA of 3.25; and

• Any academic major provided the student has had at least one American Government course at the college level. Preference will be given to those students with a demonstrated interest in public service and civic leadership.

The completed application portfolio – with all required materials – will be due in the Truman Center mail box, Room 302 Scofield Hall by 3 p.m., Dec. 10, 2012. Questions? Contact Gayla Curtis at 816-235-2720 or by email.

To see additional information about this process, including the eligibility requirements, application process, and requirements for participation, see the Truman Bootstrap Award website.