Udall Scholarship

To be eligible, students must meet all of the following criteria:

1. 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 who are enrolled members of Federally recognized Tribes 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.)
2. Be a sophomore or junior
3. Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.
4. Applicants must be nominated by Harvard University.

65 scholarships of $7500 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.

Scholars are selected on the basis of:

1. Demonstrated commitment to environmental or natural resource issues; OR Demonstrated commitment to tribal public policy; OR Demonstrated commitment to Native American health care.  Commitment is demonstrated through substantial contributions to and participation in one or more of the following: campus activities, research, tribal involvement, community or public service.  Nominees in the categories of tribal public policy OR Native American health care must be Native American or Alaska Native.
2. Course of study and proposed career likely to lead to position where nominee can make significant contributions to the shaping of either environmental, or tribal public policy, or Native American health care issues, whether through scientific advances, public or political service, or community action.
3. Leadership, character, desire to make a difference, general well-roundedness.
4. Applicants must be nominated by Harvard University.

Applicants must to apply through Harvard by the deadline, and then to the national program. The application consists of a few elements, described below. Please upload these via the Harvard University Funding Portal, linked below. You will also solicit your reference(s) there. 

The application components are:

• ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. Here, you are asked to complete a brief biographical form, as well as answer questions related to your previous URAF funding.
• UDALL APPLICATION. Complete the Udall application, which consists of biographical information, short answers about career goals, professional aspirations, the problems/issues/challenges in the environment or tribal policy/healthcare you hope to address, your public service and leadership record, and more. That application is also linked within the funding portal.
• ESSAY. The public service careers of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall were guided by the core values of civility, integrity, and consensus. In 800 words or less, tell us how these three characteristics resonate with you today and how you exemplify at least one of these values in your personal and professional life.
• THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. One letter should be from a current or recent instructor in your field of study. One should be from a current or recent instructor who can comment on your potential. A third letter should also attest to your capabilities but does not need to be from an instructor. Recommendations should be addressed to the “Udall Scholarship Selection Committee” and solicited (and submitted) online by your recommenders via this Harvard University Funding Portal
• CURRENT RESUME. Indicate significant activities, achievements, and experiences in college that demonstrate your interests and potential achievements. Do not exceed one page.
• CURRENT UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT. Your unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu, including your fall course grades and spring classes.