Undergraduate Academic Awards
Campus-Wide and National Scholarship Opportunities

UDALL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP*

DEADLINES

UW-Madison deadline: January 24, 2023
Foundation deadline: March 2, 2023 (11:59 p.m. MST)

*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 scholarships honor the legacy of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall.

AWARD

The scholarships provide up to $7,000 to fund undergraduate study, including tuition, required books and living expenses. Approximately 60 merit-based scholarships worth $7,000 and 50 honorable mentions are awarded annually.

Scholarships are offered to:

  • 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
  • American Indian and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; including fields related to tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, tribal law, Native American education, Native American justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, Native American economic development, and other areas affecting Native American communities; or
  • American Indian and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers 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

  • Full-time sophomore or junior during academic year of application (defined as two years or one year of undergraduate study remaining after application year; graduating seniors and first-year undergraduates–regardless of number of credits– are not eligible)
  • College GPA of at least 3.0
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Tribal policy or health care applicants must be of Native American or Alaska Native descent (documentation required)

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Commitment to a career related to the environment, tribal policy or Native health care as demonstrated through substantial contributions to one or more of the following: campus activities, research, tribal involvement, community/public service
  • Course of study and proposed career likely to lead to position where applicant can make significant contributions to the shaping of either environmental issues, tribal public policy, or Native American health care issues, whether through scientific advances, public or political service, or community action
  • Leadership potential, personal characteristics, and desire to make a difference

CAMPUS NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Students must submit a completed application by the campus deadline (see details below). In January/February, the UW–Madison campus nominating committee reviews applications and endorses up to four nominees. Nominees will have the opportunity to revise their applications based on feedback from the campus committee.  The Foundation deadline is late February/early March.  Nominees are notified of their final status and Udall Scholars and honorable mentions are posted on the foundation website in late March/early April.

To be considered for nomination, please submit the following materials electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the campus deadline to the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office, awards@provost.wisc.edu.

  1. Application Form. Contact the UAA Office (awards@provost.wisc.edu, 265-2428) to register for the online application, which is available on the Udall website. It includes a resume, short essays, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and an 800-word essay exploring a legislative act, public speech or policy statement by Morris or Stewart Udall.
  2. Three letters of recommendation. In the past the Udall Foundation has suggested that one letter be from a current or recent faculty member who can discuss the nominee’s potential; a current or recent faculty member in the nominee’s field of study; and another individual who can attest to the nominee’s capabilities.  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 (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).

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