Udall Scholarship
The Udall Scholarship is a merit award for second- and third-year students who have demonstrated a commitment to issues related to American Indian nations or to the environment. It provides leadership, public service, internship, and networking opportunities, in addition to up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit to two groups of students:
- Those engaged in environmental issues through perspectives of (but not limited to) policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics
- Those with American Indian or Alaska Natives backgrounds who engaged in tribal policy or Native health care
Award: Udall Scholars will receive up to $7,000 for educational expenses, attend a Scholar Orientation in summer, and join a national network of young leaders and change makers.
Criteria: (1) Commitment to the environment, health care, or tribal public policy; (2) Academic achievements; (3) Nominee’s personal essay; (4) Personal characteristics as revealed by such evidence as volunteerism and testimonials in letters of reference.
Applicants must be endorsed by the Office of Distinguished Scholarships in order to apply for the Udall Scholarship. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact ODS to learn more about the application process.
Eligibility
You can apply for the scholarship if you:
- Are a sophomore or junior-level college student at a two-year or four-year accredited institution of higher education in the United States, pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree at the time of application
- Will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree full-time during the next academic year
- Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident
Applicants interested in tribal policy and Native health care must satisfy one of the following:
- 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
How to apply for UNC endorsement
- Review the Udall Scholarship Timeline
- Email ODS (ods@unc.edu) your CV or resume and indicate that you are interested in applying for the Udall Scholarship. Include your category choice in your email.
- An ODS team member will create your account for you after this step, your email will be prompted to begin the online application
- Request Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
- Use the Recommender Name Submission Form
- Apply for UNC Endorsement with the Application for UNC Endorsement Form
- Prepare and upload a single PDF that includes (in this order)
- Current CV
- The completed Udall Application downloaded from the online portal
- All relevant unofficial transcripts
- Prepare and upload a single PDF that includes (in this order)
Resources for applicants
- Review the ODS “Tips & Advice” document for advice on applying for a distinguished scholarship
- Thoroughly read the following Udall rules and guidelines:
- ODS information sessions and prep-shops
