Udall Scholarships are given to undergraduates who are committed to careers related to the environment, or to Native American and Alaskan Native students committed to careers related to tribal public policy or Native health care.

 

 

Eligibility Criteria:

• A U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or a U.S. national.
• A full-time student in your sophomore or junior pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree
• Have at least a B college average
• Native health care and public policy applicants must be Native American or Native Alaskan

To be competitive for the Udall, candidates must demonstrate:

• Evidence of a commitment to environmental/natural resource issues, tribal public policy, or Native health care
• A proposed career likely to lead to a position where the nominee can make significant contributions to the shaping of environmental, tribal, or Native health care issues
• Evidence of leadership and strength of character

Questions to consider:

• Do your leadership and service relate to your environmental interests? The strongest examples show the student engaged in activities that have an impact on an aspect of their interest and goals.
• Are you a problem-solver, not just a problem-identifier? The Foundation looks for candidates who have not only identified a problem, but proposed solutions and worked with others – potentially LED others – to make them happen.
  • And, do you work to bring opposing factions together, find compromise, and help to reach consensus? The Foundation prioritizes applicants who embody our motto “civility, integrity, consensus.”

Application Process:

• A nomination by the UTK campus committee (see below to initiate the campus process)
• An 11-question application
• An 800-word essay on how civility, integrity, and consensus—the three core values of  Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall—resonate with you today and how you exemplify at least one of these values in your personal and professional life.
• Three letters of recommendation that speak to your leadership, public service, and academic achievements.
• Official transcript of all college coursework

Click here for the 2025 Sample Application for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship.

 

To initiate the campus process, email URF Director, Dr. Meredith Malburne-Wade, at mmalburn@utk.edu to express interest in applying or click here to request an appointment.