How to apply. The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of the nation’s natural resources. Individuals selected as Udall Scholars live for service to their communities! The Udall Scholarship awards $7,000, a four-day networking conference, and access to the Udall Scholars network to sophomores and juniors who are:
- (environmental route) passionate about the environment and committed to a career related to the environment, OR
Applicants may come from any relevant major (art, history, and sociology majors who have a singular focus on the environment are very welcome, along with anyone focused on environmental science and policy). Applicants do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.
- (Native American route) intend to pursue careers in Native health care or tribal public policy.
Applicants can come from any relevant academic field. Only Native Americans and Alaska Natives are eligible to apply in 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.
In 2019 the Foundation offered 55 awards, including 38 in the environmental category. 46 scholars were juniors and 9 sophomores. 55 honorable mentions were also recognized from the pool of 443 applicants nominated by their schools, 384 in the environmental category. The number of awards in 2019 is expected to be 55. Congratulations to Smith’s 2019 Udall Scholar!
Criteria:
- US citizens, US nationals, or US permanent residents
- GPA of 3.0 or above (GPA is not where Udall looks first! The program wants to see public service and commitment. The most competitive candidates will have GPAs substantially higher than the 3.0 minimum.)
- Commitment to improving or preserving the environment, or to health care or tribal public policy
- Personal characteristics: leadership, community service, well roundedness
- Academic achievements
- Quality of the 800-word essay assignment: how well the applicant meets technical requirements and also integrates relevant personal goals, commitment, and understanding; if the applicant conveys a unique or fresh perspective
Advice and guidance notes give more details about what Udall looks for in a successful application. Application information, including a sample of the Udall application, can be found here.
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- First step is an email to Dr. Margaret Lamb, Fellowships Advisor, Smith College Fellowships Program (mlamb@smith.edu). Contact Dr. Lamb by early October to express your interest. In your email, briefly explain why you’re interested and why you are qualified to apply. Indicate who you think you would ask to write your three letters of recommendation.
- If you are eligible to apply, Dr. Lamb will register you to apply using the online application and ask you to complete an application for nomination (notes here). This is a way to begin discussions with all of your advisers about how to present a great application. (Here’s a summary of how to apply and a sample application.)
- 2020 internal deadline for nomination: December 2, 2019 (Round 1), January 13, 2020 (Round 2)
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