Cooper Congress Scholarship
In our increasingly polarized world, there is a growing need for public servants who can bring people together and advance progress.
Today’s students who demonstrate a clear dedication to civil discourse, conflict resolution, and inclusive leadership will become the visionaries of tomorrow. These young minds are the world’s future lawmakers, aides, policy analysts, and community leaders who will navigate complexity with compassion, respect all voices at the table, and forge policy through connection rather than division.
This scholarship seeks to bridge divides through dialogue and policy by supporting the next generation of political leaders and encouraging them to work together.
Any high school senior or undergraduate student who is a U.S. citizen pursuing a field related to law, legislation, political science, public policy, or government may apply for this scholarship if they’re an advocate for policy change. However, applicants with volunteering experience are strongly preferred. Applicants should demonstrate experience or interest in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, or mediation; should show a clear passion for legislative affairs, public policy, or government service; should reflect values of inclusivity, mutual respect, and civic responsibility; and should aspire to use their voice and future policy work to ensure others are heard and represented.
To apply, respond to one of the prompts below. Additionally, upload a photo of you bridging divides, a photo of you listening to others, a photo representing your vision, and/or a photo that inspires you. You must submit at least one photo but you may submit up to five.
Choose one of the following:
1. Personal Commitment to Mediation and Peacebuilding:
Describe a time when you helped resolve a disagreement between individuals or groups with opposing viewpoints. What steps did you take to foster understanding? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
2. Policy and Government Aspirations:
Explain your interest in legislative or policy-related work. What specific level(s) of government—local, state, or federal—do you aspire to serve in, and why? Describe one current policy issue you care deeply about. What role do you believe civil discourse plays in shaping public policy?
3. Values and Impact:
What does it mean to you to ensure "everyone has a voice"? How do you incorporate this value into your daily life or leadership roles?
Additionally: Please list any civic, leadership, mediation, or policy-related roles you’ve held (e.g., student government, Model UN, city council internship, community organizing, etc.). Include organization names, dates, and contact information for verification if selected as a finalist.
Winners and Finalists
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Aug 21, 2025. Winners will be announced on Sep 21, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Sep 21, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.