Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

About

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Arizona Congressman Morris K. Udall and of U.S. Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

 

Fields of Study

The Udall Foundation places no limitations on the applicant’s field of study or major.

Recent Udall Scholars have majored in environmental sciences and policy studies, agriculture, political science, natural resource management, sociology, anthropology, American Indian studies, tribal public policy, history, English, theater, landscape architecture, and public health, to name just a few areas.

 

Eligibility

There are three types of Udall Scholarships, Environment (for all undergraduates), and Native Health Care and Tribal Policy (restricted to Native American and Alaska Native tribe members). Each type has separate eligibility criteria as follows.

Environment

Applicants to the Environment category must be:

  • A full-time undergraduate sophomore or junior, with one or two years of full-time undergraduate study remaining until graduation.
  • A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.
  • Interested in conservation, environmental stewardship, or environmental policy.
  • Demonstrating commitment to the environment through participation in campus activities or service in the community.
  • Working toward a career that will enable him/her to address environmental issues on a local, national, or global scale.

Native Health Care

Applicants to the Native Health category are Native Americans and Alaska Natives pursuing health-related careers. You must be:

  • A full-time undergraduate sophomore or junior, with one or two years of full-time undergraduate study remaining until graduation.
  • A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.
  • A Native American or Alaska Native:
    • You are enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribe or band;
    • One or more of your parents or grandparents was an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or band;
    • You are a permanent U.S. resident or U.S. citizen who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.
  • Interested in improving health care practice and delivery in Indian country, or contributing to health care policy and research.
  • Demonstrating commitment to Indian country through participation in cultural activities and service to the community.
  • Working towards a career that will enable you to impact health care for your tribe or for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Tribal Policy

Applicants to the Tribal Policy category are Native Americans and Alaska Natives working on an array of policy issues in Indian country. You must be:

  • A full-time undergraduate sophomore or junior, with one or two years of full-time undergraduate study remaining until graduation.
  • A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.
  • A Native American or Alaska Native:
    • You are enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribe or band;
    • One or more of your parents or grandparents was an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or band;
    • You are a permanent U.S. resident or U.S. citizen who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.
  • Demonstrating commitment to Indian country through participation in cultural activities and service to the community.
  • Working toward a career that will enable you to make a difference for your tribe or for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

 

Scholarship Benefits

The Udall Scholarship provides:

  • Access to the Udall Alumni Network: an association of change-makers, working in Indian country and environmental fields, sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities.
  • Five days in Tucson, Arizona, at Scholar Orientation (annually in August): extending your professional network, meeting other scholars and alumni, and learning new skills.
  • Up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses.

In 2021, the Udall Foundation anticipates awarding 55 scholarships of up to $7,000 each.

 

Recent Recipients & Alternates

  • In 2005, Sara Huber (Civil Engineering) received an Honorable Mention.
  • In 1997, Jennifer Janis (Environmental Analysis & Design) received a Udall Scholarship.

 

Competitiveness

In 2019, the Udall Foundation awarded scholarships to 55 sophomores and juniors from 50 colleges and universities, selected from 443 candidates at 227 colleges and universities.

According to David Schug, Udall Faculty Representative at the University of Illinois, “Your interest in the environment or Native American affairs has to be more than a cursory interest; the reviewers are looking for students who are going to make a career (the next 30 to 40 years) in their field of study.”

The motto for the Udall Foundation is “Civility, Integrity, Consensus.” Your narrative of leadership should clearly illustrate your fit with these values. Udall Scholarship reviewers look for students who can motivate others, bring people together, take initiative, and implement practical solutions. You should be able to provide examples that show you working with others, mediating conflicts, or identifying solutions to problems.

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