About the Tribal ecoAmbassadors Program

EPA conducts research in partnership with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). Professors from TCUs receive funding and technical support from EPA to solve the environmental problems most important to their tribal communities.

Selected professors from eight different TCUs will work with a group of students to solve environmental and public health issues ranging from sustainable building materials to monitoring of local drinking water wells. The professors will collaborate closely with neighboring tribes and EPA scientists to ensure that available resources are leveraged and resulting data is verified.

"Building stronger tribal partnerships and increasing our support for tribal communities is one of our top priorities," said EPA Assistant Administrator Michelle DePass. "This group of Ambassadors represents an effective partnership where the tribal community can direct EPA resources to the most pressing environmental problems they face, and to start developing solutions."

Program Brochure (PDF) (2pp, 291K, About PDF)

Application Period Open for 2012-2013 Academic Year

• As the pilot year of this program comes to a close, EPA invites you to apply for next year’s program. See the press release for more information. Read the press release for more information.

• Application (PDF) (4pp,187K, About PDF)

• 2011-2012 Fact Sheet (PDF) (2pp, 267K, About PDF)

• 2011-2012 Tribal ecoAmbassadors Project Descriptions (PDF) (2pp, 65K, About PDF)

• Visit the EPA tribal website for additional information on environmental tribal activities