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Udall Scholarships are for students pursuing future careers in environmental issues, and for Native American or Alaska Native students pursuing careers in tribal policy or health care. Udall Scholarships provide up to $7,000 in undergraduate scholarship support to U.S. sophomores and juniors. ¶¶Òõ̽̽ nominates up to eight students each year.

To be eligible for the Udall Scholarship, students must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be committed to a career related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.*
• Be a full-time sophomore or junior-level student, pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree during the year of application.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

Students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.

*Only Native Americans and Alaska Natives are eligible to apply in the fields of tribal public policy or Native American health care. Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment. For the purposes of the Scholarship Program, a Native American or Alaska Native is any individual who is:

• A member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940 and any tribe recognized by the state in which the tribe or band resides;
• A descendant in first or second degree of a member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, who can demonstrate affiliation with the tribal community according to criteria set by the Foundation; or
• Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose; An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native.

Native American and Alaska Native students in tribal public policy or health care must submit copies of relevant enrollment forms or descent documentation.

: This form indicates your interest in applying and connects you directly with FOUR's fellowships advisor for advising and preparation of application materials. 

Internal Application: Due by 11:59pm on January 15, 2025

The internal application is due to the Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research at 11:59pm on the day of the internal deadline and is available . The application also requires three letters of recommendation; recommenders must submit their letters directly to the FOUR office via email to four@uvm.edu.

National Deadline: ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Fellowships Committee may nominate up to eight ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Students to participate in the national competition. These students will have time to revise their proposals before the national deadline in March. In early April, the Udall Foundation announces the names of Udall Scholars and Honorable Mentions.

The Udall Scholarship exists to support the next generation of leaders in fields related to the environment and conservation. Up to 55 Udall Scholarships are awarded nationally each year to sophomores and juniors who are planning to pursue a career as a leader in these fields including (but not limited to) policy, science, activism, eco-design, urban design, engineering, health and education. If awarded a Udall Scholarship, a student will receive a $7,000 undergraduate scholarship, paid travel to Arizona for the annual Udall Scholars Orientation, and access to the Udall Scholars alumni listserv, which includes many current leaders in environmental professions. It is a prestigious award; it opens doors to incredible academic opportunities, other fellowships, scholarships, graduate school acceptance and job opportunities. ¶¶Òõ̽̽ can nominate up to four students every year for each of the two categories of Udall Scholarships.

The national Udall committee refers to four principal categories to evaluate each applicant:

1. The student's commitment to protecting the environment, Tribal public policy issues, or Native healthcare;
2. The student's personal characteristics - the criteria include demonstrated leadership, community service, well roundedness, and references;
3. The student's academic achievements; and
4. The student's application essay discussing the "Udall values" of integrity, civility, and consensus.

Your letter will play a central role in helping the committee evaluate the student's personal characteristics, and you have the opportunity to help convince them that the student is a person who has taken the initiative to be a leader and is someone who is genuinely committed to working toward making the world a safer, less wasteful, and more environmentally friendly place. So, when you sit down to write your letter, we have a few tips for you to keep in mind:

Make the Case for Excellence: The student will have ample space in their application to discuss their leadership experience, their commitment to improving or preserving the environment, and their academic achievements. Your letter can add depth to these experiences, so focus on how you've seen the student stand out among their peers, be it as a scholar, leader, or as someone committed to the environment. Also feel free to offer a personal perspective on the student's activities and character. That said, avoid being vague, and avoid statements such as, "X Student turned in assignments on time" or "X Student had perfect attendance in my class" (True, these are important qualities, but when articulating excellence these should go without saying).

Confirm and Validate the Student's Leadership Experiences and Career Goals: Be sure to comment on the student's sincere commitment as well as ability to continue going forward in a career related to the environment or conservation. Be sure to address the student's potential to make a significant and compelling impact as a leader in their field (think: broader impacts).

Speak to Your Audience: There are three things you need to know about the people who will be reading Udall applications at the national level: 

1. The backgrounds of committee members vary widely: A former Udall reader noted that committee members ranged " . . . from professors of environmental policy and science, EPA officials, directors of scholarships and Honors programs, to representatives of Native American interests." 
2. Readers have an overwhelming number of Udall applications they need to read; on average readers have about 10-15 minutes to spend on each application.  
3. Readers will be quickly seeking to understand the significance of a student's leadership experience as well as their career goals.

So for Udall recommendation letters it's important to get to the point, and be brief. Letters that are around one page single spaced are appropriate for this competition.

Letters can be addressed to: Udall Scholarship Selection Committee and sent to four@uvm.edu.