Undergraduate Academic Awards
Campuswide and National Scholarship Opportunities

UDALL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP*

DEADLINES

UW-Madison deadline: January 27, 2025
Foundation deadline: March 4, 2025 

*Candidates must be nominated by UW–Madison and may not apply directly. Students interested in applying should contact the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office for more information about the application process. Contact: 608-265-2428, awards@provost.wisc.edu

DESCRIPTION

Established by Congress in 1992, the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship honors the legacies of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. The purpose of the scholarship is to identify future leaders in environmental, Tribal policy and Native health care fields who are working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges or to issues impacting Indian Country. Approximately 55 scholarships and 55 honorable mentions are awarded annually.

AWARD

  • Access to the Udall Alumni Network, an association of change-makers working in Indian country and environmental fields sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities.
  • Participation at Scholar Orientation, extending your professional network, meeting other Scholars and alumni, and learning new skills.
  • Up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses.

THREE TRACKS

  • Environment: Demonstrated commitment to a career related to the environment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields.
  • Tribal Policy: Demonstrated commitment to a career related to Tribal policy, including but not limited to sovereignty, governance, Indian law, education, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, economic development, and other issues affecting Indian Country.
  • Native Health Care: Demonstrated commitment to a career 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.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be a sophomore or junior during 2024-25 academic year (defined as two years or one year of full-time undergraduate study remaining after application year).
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Tribal policy and health care applicants (but not environment applicants) must be enrolled members of one or more Federally Recognized Indian Tribes that are included in the the annual list of Indian Tribes published by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 5131. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • A Strong Commitment for the environment, tribal policy, or Native health care evident from career goals, activities, service, academic pursuits, references, etc. Consistent and ongoing involvement in relevant campus or community activities.
  • A Strong Character (the Udall Factor) exemplified through demonstrated leadership, service, and integrity. A desire to make a difference and solve problems. The ability to motivate others and produce results that benefit the campus or community.
  • A Strong Trajectory towards a career that will allow significant contributions to environmental issues or Indian Country through political or public service, community action, or scientific advances. Identification of issues related to the environment, tribal policy, or Native health care the applicant wants to work on, and how they plan to do it.

 

CAMPUS NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for nomination, please submit the following materials electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the campus deadline. The UW–Madison campus nominating committee will review applications and select nominees. All applicants will be notified of their nomination status in mid-February. Nominees will have the opportunity to revise their application materials before national submission in early March. Udall Scholars and honorable mentions are notified in late April.

  1. Application Form. Submit the official online Udall Scholarship application. Contact the UAA Office (awards@provost.wisc.edu, 265-2428) to register for the application. The 11-question application includes a resume section and an 800-word essay related to the Udall Foundation’s core values. You can preview a sample application here.
  2. Three letters of recommendation that speak to your leadership, public service, and academic achievements. The Udall Foundation recommends, but does not require, one academic, one leadership, and one public service letter. The selection committee looks for sustained participation in environmental or tribal activities, assumption of leadership roles and evidence of initiative, service to the community, and coursework or research that complements activities and career goals. Your recommenders should be able to comment on one or more of these things. Ask recommenders to email letters to awards@provost.wisc.edu. The letters must be received by the campus due date.
  3. Transcript(s) from all colleges attended should be emailed to awards@provost.wisc.edu. (For the campus competition an unofficial transcript or a copy of your UW-Madison student record is fine, as are photocopies of transcripts from other institutions.)
  4. Scholarship Nomination Permission Form & Waiver. Download form, sign, and email to awards@provost.wisc.edu.

UDALL FOUNDATION WEBSITE

For official information on the Udall Scholarship (which supersedes any information provided here), please see the Udall Foundation website.

RESOURCES

Udall Scholarship Webinar December 7, 2021
Essay tips
Letters of recommendation tips
Previous Udall Scholars