- Who are Udall scholars?
Udall Scholars are a diverse group of students who are united by their interest in our nation's heritage: natural resource protection, conservation, and Native American policy, health, and governance. Recent Udall Scholars are pursuing majors in a variety of fields, including:
- Environmental Science
- International Studies and Conservation Biology
- Industrial Ecology
- Environmental Health
- Coastal and Marine Policy and Management
- Native American Studies
- Resource Conservation
- Agricultural and Resource Economics and Policy
- Environmental Engineering
- Philosophy and the Environment
- Architectural Engineering
- Environmental Geography
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Fisheries and Wildlife Science
- Biological Engineering
- Chemistry
- Zoology
- Human Ecology
- Political Science
- Water Resources Engineering
- Education
- Wildlife Conservation and Management
- Earth and Planetary Science
- Computer Science
- Math
- Biology
- French
- Social Welfare
- Economics
- Agriculture
Their career goals are similarly diverse. Among them:
- Design water systems that mimic natural ecosystems
- Advocate for Native American healthcare policy
- Develop interactive tools that integrate software and web applications with environmental decision-making
- Research remediation technologies for polluted waters
- Improve education on the Navajo reservation
- Develop environmental education curriculums for primary education
- Influence tribal education policy on a federal level
- Study urban planning and public policy
- Serve as an optometrist with Indian Health Service
- Conduct field research in behavioral ecology
- Design communities to reduce energy waste
- Resolve natural resource conflicts among tribal, state and federal governments
- Practice physical therapy among the Blackfeet people
- Resolve international freshwater conflicts
- What types of jobs do previous Udall Scholars hold?
Udall Scholars are now working in many professions:
- As environmental consultants for industry, not-for-profit entities, and government;
- With cities as environmental managers and urban planners;
- As health care providers for hospitals and clinics;
- As legal counsel for environmental organizations and tribal communities;
- As environmental educators;
- As tribal chairmen and chairwomen;
- In tribal resource management;
- In public health and environmental justice fields.
- What is the Scholar Orientation?
The Udall Scholars Orientation weekend is a mandatory 4-day event that takes place each August in Tucson, Arizona. All new and repeat Scholars must attend. Travel from the Scholar's home or school, lodging and meals will be provided by the Foundation.
The 2009 Orientation is scheduled for August 5-9. The Orientation brings Udall Scholars, alumni, faculty representatives, and Foundation staff together to network, share ideas, hear from distinguished environmental and Native American leaders, and see, first hand, what it means to be a part of the Udall legacy.
- I’ve arranged to do an environmental internship this summer in Ecuador/the Galapagos/Tanzania, and I don’t think I’ll be back in time for the Scholar Orientation. Can I opt out of the weekend? Could I write a paper instead of attending? Attend next year?
No, no, and no. The Scholar Orientation Weekend is an integral part of becoming a Udall Scholar; all new and repeat Scholars must attend. If you are awarded the scholarship and cannot attend the Orientation, the scholarship will be revoked and awarded to a Udall Honorable Mention.
- How important are grades?
Grades are less important than community service and leadership records, but they are still significant. Nominees should generally be in the top quarter of their class and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Are any fields of study given priority?
No. Udall Scholars come from all majors and fields of study. 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.
However, we anticipate that the nominee’s plan of study will include some coursework in environmental and/or public policy, environmental studies or science, or Native American studies.
- How does the Udall Foundation define Native American?
For the purposes of the Scholarship Program, a Native American or Alaska Native is any individual who is:
- A member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940 and any tribe recognized by the state in which the tribe or band resides;
- A descendant in first or second degree of a member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, who can demonstrate affiliation with the tribal community according to criteria set by the 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.
- What kind of documentation do I need?
Applicants must submit copies of relevant enrollment forms, cards or descent documentation such as a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood. Applicants who are members of the First Nations of Canada must submit proof of U.S. permanent residency. Applicants who cannot demonstrate tribal enrollment and do not have a CDIB may obtain a letter from a tribal leader indicating descent from a member of a tribe or band and involvement in the tribal community, and submit copies of a mother or father’s birth certificate showing tribal affiliation.
- What is a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood?
A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) is an official document that certifies a person possesses a specific degree of Indian blood of a federally recognized Indian tribe. The CDIB is issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; however, verification and enrollment requirements vary from tribe to tribe.
- I am not an enrolled tribal member. Am I eligible for the scholarship?
That depends. If you do not have an enrollment card, you should contact your tribe for information on how to apply for tribal enrollment. Be aware that the application process can take from two months to up to several years. If you are not currently on your tribal roll, and do not have a CDIB, you may instead obtain a letter from a tribal leader indicating your involvement in your tribal community and your descent from a member of the tribe or band; and submit copies of a mother or father’s birth certificate showing tribal affiliation. The Udall Foundation will review the letter to determine if it provides sufficient proof of eligibility to meet our criteria.
- My tribe does not have federal recognition. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, applicants from state-recognized tribes are eligible for the scholarship.
- I am Native Hawaiian. Am I eligible to apply?
No, at this time Native Hawaiians are not eligible. The Foundation may revisit this issue in the future.
- I’m technically a senior, but I intend another full year of study. Am I eligible to apply this year?
Yes. If you will be enrolled full-time the year following your application for the Udall Scholarship, you are eligible to apply, unless you have already applied for the scholarship during both your sophomore and junior years.
- I’m technically a junior, but I have enough credits to graduate in December of my senior year. Would I still eligible to apply?
No. Scholars must be enrolled full time during the year following their award. However, you may not apply more than twice for the scholarship.
- I’m a first-year student, but I have enough credits for sophomore status at my college/university. Am I eligible to apply?
No. You must be in at least your second year of study to apply for the scholarship.
- I intend to take a year off from my studies to hike the Appalachian Trail / follow the wildebeest migration. Can I defer the scholarship until the following year?
No, the Udall Scholarship cannot be deferred. Scholars must be enrolled full time the year following their award, or decline the scholarship.
- Are students in five-year non-Baccalaureate Master's programs eligible to apply?
Yes. Applicants in five-year non-Baccalaureate Master’s programs may apply for the scholarship in their 2nd and 3rd years of study. Applicants who are in their fourth year of study are not eligible.
- Are students who are pursuing a second undergraduate degree eligible?
Applicants who have returned to school for a 2nd undergraduate degree are eligible if:
- They are returning after an absence of at least 2 years;
- Their first undergraduate degree was in a field unrelated to the environment, tribal public policy, or health care;
- They have not previously been awarded a Udall Scholarship or Honorable Mention.