Udall Scholarship
For information or to apply, contact Prof. Matthew Wright (wright5@stolaf.edu), Assistant Director of External Fellowships and Scholarships.
Description:
The U.S. Congress established the Udall Foundation as an independent executive branch agency in 1992 to honor Morris K. Udall’s 30 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2009, Congress enacted legislation to honor Stewart L. Udall and add his name to the Foundation. As set forth in the founding legislation, the purposes of the Foundation are to:
- Increase the awareness of the importance of, and promote the benefit and enjoyment of, the nation’s natural resources;
- Foster a greater recognition and understanding of the role of the environment, public lands and resources in the development of the United States;
- Identify critical environmental issues;
- Develop resources to train professionals properly in environmental and related fields;
- Provide educational outreach regarding environmental policy;
- Develop resources to train Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy;
- Through the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, provide assessment, mediation, and other related services to resolve environmental disputes involving federal agencies.
Special Notes
Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:
- To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields; or
- To Native American** and Alaska Native** students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy, including fields related to tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, tribal law, Native American education, Native American justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, Native American economic development, and
other areas affecting Native American communities; or - To Native American** and Alaska Native** students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care, including health care administration, social work, medicine, dentistry, counseling, and research into health conditions affecting Native American communities, and other related fields.
The Foundation expects annually to award 50 scholarships of up to $5,000 and 50 honorable mentions to sophomore and junior-level college students.
Benefits:
Udall Scholarships provide the Scholar up to $5,000 for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses. Recipients also participate in a four-day Udall Scholars Orientation in Tucson, Arizona to meet with other Scholars, elected officials, and other environmental and tribal leaders. All Scholars will be required to attend this event in August. Travel from the Scholar’s home or school, lodging, and meals will be provided by the Foundation. Lastly, Scholars benefit from access to an active and growing alumni network of environmental, Native American health and tribal policy professionals through the Udall Alumni listserv.
Honorable Mentions receive access to the alumni network.
Eligibility:
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be committed to a career related to the environment, OR committed to a career in tribal public policy OR Native American health care.
- Only Native Americans and Alaska Natives are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care.
- Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment.
- Likewise, students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.
- At the time of application, be a matriculated sophomore or junior-level student at a two-year or four-year accredited institution of higher education, pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. (See “Who Can Apply” for more detailed information.)
Meet the following requirements:
- Have a college grade-point average of at least a “B” or the equivalent.
- Be pursuing full-time study during the current academic year.
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.
St. Olaf’s Campus Selection Process:
Since St. Olaf is allowed to nominate six students in total, regardless of category for the Udall Scholarship, the campus committee will review the materials listed below to select St. Olaf’s six nominees after the Initial Campus Deadline.
Note: Only the 4 who are nominated will be required to complete those things required by the Final Campus Deadline.
Materials Due By Initial Campus Deadline:
The following items will be due by the initial campus deadline. Please click here for the quick link to the initial application.
- “Initial Application,” comprised of the following items:
- A 500 word essay answering the following question for: Why are you interested in this fellowship and how does it prepare you for your future goals? It is recommended that you research the fellowship webpage, as well as Udall past recipient’s biographies, before responding to this question.
- The name of your academic advisor
- The names and email addresses of three people (at least 1 of whom is faculty) who can provide insights into your qualifications for this award
- Unofficial transcript from SIS
- Current resume
- Signed “Permission Form & Waiver“
St. Olaf’s Campus Selection Process Timeline:
Initial Campus Deadline: Declaration of interest due Dec. 14
December – March: Participate in one Udall Prep Session and follow-up appointments with the fellowships coach as needed.
Unless you are abroad, the Udall Prep Sessions are a mandatory part of the institutional endorsement process.
Materials Due By Final Campus Deadline:
St. Olaf selected applicants will be required to submit the following by the final campus deadline, which will be two weeks before national deadline:
- A finalized application form including the 800 word essay
- 3 letters of recommendation – which should be sent directly to Co-Director of Fellowship Jason Marsh via email (marshj@stolaf.edu)
- A current college transcript and transcripts from other colleges attended – which should be sent directly to Co-Director of Fellowship Jason Marsh via email (marshj@stolaf.edu).
Applicants are notified of their final status during the later part of March.