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

AWARD

The scholarships provide up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses, a Scholar Orientation in Tucson, Arizona, and access to the vast Udall Alumni Network. Approximately 55 scholarships and 55 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)
  • 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, 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

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. 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. Contact the UAA Office (awards@provost.wisc.edu, 265-2428) to register for the online Udall Scholarship application. The 11-question application includes a resume section and an 800-word essay related to the Udall Foundation’s core values.
  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 (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 send 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