The Udall Scholarship is open to sophomores and juniors planning careers in Native American tribal policy and Native health care (Native American applicants only) as well as the environment (U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents only). The Udall Foundation was created to honor the legacies of Congressman Morris Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, whose careers significantly impacted Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues in one of the three categories: (1) Native American tribal policy, (2) Native health care, or (3) the environment. The Udall scholarships provides access to the Udall Alumni network, a five-day scholar orientation, and a financial award of up to $7,000 per year for eligible undergraduate academic expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, and room and board. Sophomores who are awarded a Udall Scholarship will receive up to $7,000 in each of their junior and senior years. Juniors who are awarded a Udall Scholarship will receive up to $7,000 in their senior year.
The Udall Scholarship emphasizes not only on academics but also advocacy and leadership on the topic a student is applying under—things that may not be so obvious from your Wesleyan transcript but come from your other experiences, outside the classroom. Contact fellowships@wesleyan.edu asap if you are interested in applying to find out what’s needed for the campus deadline. The campus deadline is February 9 at 5pm, so reach out in advance of the start of the semester if you wish to be considered.
Questions? The Office of Fellowships at Wesleyan’s Fries Center for Global Studies will be holding open office hours for students to drop in with questions bout the Udall Scholarship on Wednesday January 25 at 1-1:45pm in Fisk Hall 201C and on Tuesday January 31 at 4-4:40pm on Zoom.
Eligibility details: Sophomores and juniors (who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents) can apply in one of three categories (1) environment, (2) tribal public policy, and (3) Native health care. The final two categories are open to Native American students only, defined as follows:
- An enrolled member of a state or federally recognized Indian tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940;
- A descendant in first or second degree of an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized Indian tribe or band, who can demonstrate affiliation with the tribal community, according to criteria set by the Udall Foundation;
- Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;
- An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native;
- A permanent U.S. resident who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.
