Udall Scholarship

The Udall Foundation awards 60 scholarships to sophomores and juniors pursuing careers related to the environment and to Native American students planning careers in tribal policy or tribal health care. This award provides $7,000 towards undergraduate expenses and participation in a five-day orientation in Tucson, AZ with environmental and tribal leaders, and access to the Udall Alumni Network. Ohio State may nominate up to 4 students in the environment category and up to four students in the tribal policy and tribal health categories.

• U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident
• Full-time sophomore or junior pursuing a bachelor's degree (at least 3 semesters completed and 1 full year remaining of undergraduate study)
• Be working toward positive solutions to environmental challenges or to issues impacting Indian country

To apply in the tribal policy or tribal health categories, you also must:

• Be Native American or Alaska Native (with documentation):
  • Be enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribe or band OR
  • One or more of your parents or grandparents is/was an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or band OR
  • You are a permanent U.S. resident or U.S. citizen who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.

Udall Scholarship selection criteria include:

• Demonstrate a commitment to become environmental and/or tribal leaders through activities, research, academics, job/internship experience and public service
• Be committed to making a difference through civility and consensus building
• Hold a strong academic record that supports your interest in the environment, tribal policy, or tribal health care

Environmental Category:

• Have a passionate interest in conservation, environmental stewardship, or environmental policy
• Plan careers which enable you to address and impact environmental issues on a local, national, or global scale

Tribal Policy or Tribal Health Care:

• Demonstrate commitment to Indian Country through participation and leadership in cultural activities and service to the community
• Plan careers that enable you to make a difference for your tribe(s) or Native American and Alaska Natives or careers that address and impact health care for your tribe(s) or Native American and Alaska Natives

• A completed application form and essay
  • Short answer essays including questions on career goals, issues you hope to address, research experience, leadership experience, public service/community/campus engagement, commitment to environmental concerns or tribal policy/health care, and unique attributes to you that you would like to share.
  • 800-word essay: The public service careers of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall were guided by the core values of civility, integrity, and consensus. In 800 words or less, tell us how these three characteristics resonate with you today and how you exemplify at least one of these values in your personal and professional life.
• Transcript
• 3 letters of recommendation (ideally from professors) submitted directly to fellowships@osu.edu
• A copy of tribal enrollment card or tribal verification documents if relevant submitted to fellowships@osu.edu

Campus Application Deadline – January 2025

Campus Application Process

Because the university is required to nominate candidates for this opportunity, there is an internal application process. For support on your application, reach out to fellowships@osu.edu at any time while the applications are open.

Please submit all of the materials listed above, including letters of recommendation, to fellowships@osu.edu by 5 pm on the campus deadline. After a review of applications, we will contact all applicants to announce the campus nominees. From that point, Undergraduate Fellowship Office staff will work with nominees to revise materials in advance of the national deadline.

National Application Deadline – March 2025

All application materials must be submitted to fellowships@osu.edu in advance of the national deadline. Undergraduate Fellowship Office staff will communicate about deadlines with nominees.