Investing in people who connect us.
The Cooper Congress Scholarship recognizes students who bring people together through civil discourse, public service, and a commitment to policy change.
Who can apply?
Founder Matthew Cooper confirms the 2027 application will use the same qualifications as the 2026 cycle. Applications are submitted on Bold.org.
Education
High school senior or undergraduate student.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen.
Field of study
Law, legislation, political science, public policy, government, or a related field.
Applicants should advocate for policy change. Volunteer experience is strongly preferred. The scholarship also looks for interest or experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, or mediation; commitment to public service; and inclusive civic leadership.
Tell the story behind your civic work.
The 2027 application is planned to use the same prompts and materials as the 2026 cycle. Submit through Bold.org. Write a 400–600 word essay answering one of three themes:
- Mediation and peacebuilding. Describe resolving a disagreement across opposing views.
- Policy and government aspirations. Explain the policy issue and level of government you hope to work in, and the role of civil discourse.
- Values and impact. Explain what it means to ensure everyone has a voice.
Also list relevant civic, leadership, mediation, or policy roles with dates and verification contacts, and upload one to five photos reflecting connection, listening, vision, or inspiration. The official Bold.org listing has the full prompts and instructions.
Read the official instructionsMark your calendar.
The next application deadline is August 20, 2027, with the award scheduled for September 21, 2027, according to founder Matthew Cooper. The 2026 award is complete. Apply through Bold.org when its next cycle opens and use its listing to confirm live application status.
Bold.org’s 2026 listing checked October 7, 2026; 2027 dates provided by the founder.Meet the first two winners.
Their work shows how listening and civic action can reinforce each other.