National and International Scholarship Office John Martinson Honors College

Udall Scholarship

Information Sessions:  NISO Week Sept 18-21, 2023

Campus Deadline: January 25, 2024

Fields of Study: Any — for students committed to a career related to the environment OR committed to a career in tribal public policy OR Native American health care

Funding for: Junior and/or senior year of undergraduate study

Begin Application: Sophomore or junior year

Website: www.udall.gov

Description

The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation annually awards approximately 50 scholarships of up to $7,500 each to sophomore and junior 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 Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or Native American health care.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Full-time matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at a university during the application year
  • GPA of at least "B" (3.0)
  • U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
  • Only Native Americans and Alaska Natives (with official tribal affiliation) are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care; however, students applying in environment do not need to be Native American or Alaska Native to apply

Candidate Profile

  • Commitment to a clear career path, demonstrated by academic achievement and extracurricular activities
  • Widely read among the speeches, legislation, and policy statements of Congressman Morris K. Udall or Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall
  • Demonstrated desire for problem-solving and consensus-building
  • Demonstrated leadership potential, including the ability to form a vision, make it a reality, and inspire others

Additionally, for applicants in tribal public policy or Native American health care:

  • Explanation of how you will use your education to benefit your tribe or Native Americans in general
  • Demonstrated interest and involvement in tribal community (e.g., participation in cultural events, volunteering with organizations that benefit Native communities, etc.)
  • Support of a tribal leader or other professional who can attest to your involvement with your tribe or other Native American organization in a letter of recommendation

Application Components

  • Online application, which includes multiple short answer essay questions detailing one's leadership in action, committment to environmental (or tribal) issues now, and chart a path toward a career focused on creating impact on the environmental (or tribal policy/healthcare) 
  • Certified transcript(s)
  • Udall Essay - no more than 800 words detailing how the three core values of the Udall brothers (civility, integrity, consensus) resonate with you and how you exemplify at least one in your professional/personal pursuits 

Application Procedure

All applicants MUST be nominated by their college or university. Purdue applicants are reviewed by an internal committee and up to 4 nominees are sent forward in each category (enviromental and Native/tribal) to the Udall Foundation for consideration. We encourage interested students to attend the information session in September as that is the kick-off to the application process.

Detailed campus application information is provided directly to applicants once they declare their intention to apply.