Iowa Uncommon Student Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Hoover Presidential Foundation

Applications for the 2026 program are open. Overview The Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award is a $10,000 scholarship for Iowa high school juniors that recognizes students with strong motivation and community focus. The award—named for Herbert Hoover, Iowa native and the 31st President of the United States—selects about 15 Iowa juniors who design and carry out their own projects that reflect the public-service values Hoover modeled. Academic records, test scores, essays, and financial need are not part of the evaluation. Each of the roughly 15 finalists receives $1,500 in cash when the program concludes. From those finalists, four students may be chosen to receive an additional $10,000 scholarship each (making their total award $11,500). Eligibility To apply for the 2026 Uncommon Student Award you must: - Be a U.S. citizen. - Be a junior in an Iowa high school or enrolled in an Iowa home-school program in spring 2026. - Have an expected high school graduation of Spring 2027. Mandatory in-person commitments (do not apply if you cannot attend) Students selected to be part of the 2026 Uncommon Student Class must be present at the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa: - From 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Attendance for the entire weekend meeting is required; inability to attend means you cannot receive the award. - For a presentation at the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The Foundation will provide housing and meals for students during the June weekend meeting. Application timeline - Application deadline: April 1, 2026. Application components and process - Both the Student Application Form and two Recommendation Forms are required and must be submitted online. - The online forms do not allow you to save your progress. Draft your responses in a separate document and print a copy of your completed form before submitting if you want a record. - Read the provided program materials and links before beginning your application. The project proposal is written as answers to specific questions—treat it like a business plan that explains your objective and how you will accomplish it. - Combined answers for the project proposal should total about 2–4 pages. Project proposal — required questions In your proposal respond clearly to each item below: 1. Why the project matters (what are the benefits or significance?). 2. The steps and methods you will use to complete the project (how will you do it?). 3. How the project relates to Herbert Hoover’s strengths as an organizer and leader (research Hoover and make the connection). 4. The resources and materials you will use. 5. Any mentors you will consult for guidance (you must obtain their agreement and note it in the proposal). 6. Examples of how you have, or will, demonstrate leadership during the project. 7. Whether you will use volunteers and, if so, how they will be incorporated. 8. The expected outcomes or conclusions of the project. 9. How you learned about this program. Proposal guidance and expectations - State your project’s goal clearly and explain the who, what, where, when, why, and how. - Use plain, concise language and define any technical terms. - Obtain necessary permissions before submitting—avoid conditional wording such as “If I get permission, I will…”. - Evaluators must see a realistic path to success. Have an adult who is not already familiar with your idea read your proposal to identify missing details. Project types and rules - Projects should originate from your own interests and strengths. Consider issues in your school or community, or expand work you’ve already begun. - Common project areas include entrepreneurship, community/humanitarian service, conservation, and technology. Study how Hoover was involved in these fields and how he organized others to help. - Projects must be individual (class projects are not eligible). Recruiting volunteers is allowed and encouraged. - Your project may be underway before the program begins but should not be completed prior to starting the program. If it is still in progress by Presentation Day, explain how you will continue it. Other information - Foundation membership is not required and does not affect application review. Do not apply if you cannot be available on the required program dates.