Office of FellowshipsUdall Overview

What is the Udall Scholarship?

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to students working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges and to issues impacting Native nations – specifically in health care and tribal policy. In addition to funding for academic expenses, the Udall Scholarship also provides access to the Udall Alumni Network, an association of change-makers, working in Native nations and environmental fields, sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities. Udall Scholars must attend Scholar Orientation in Tucson, Arizona held in the summer following notification of the award.

Award Details

Information for Recommenders

Letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to candidates' leadership, public service, and academic achievements. It is important that references know in which category a candidate is applying, as students may only apply in one of the three scholarship categories (environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care). 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. References should:

• Briefly explain to the selection committee in what capacity and context you know the candidate: as a research supervisor, through volunteer or campus activities, professional experience, and for what length of time.
• Provide concrete evidence of the candidate's leadership and service activities. The most effective examples highlight the candidate in action, as an innovator, activist, leader, volunteer, researcher, or teaching assistant, and convey the candidate's passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to environmental or tribal issues.
• Give examples of the candidate's personal characteristics. Showing is stronger than telling.
• Convey the scope of responsibility the candidate has assumed; what impact has his or her actions had?

You may find helpful these Suggestions for Writers of Recommendation Letters.

Format and submission: Please type your letter on institutional letterhead (virtual is fine), including your contact information, and sign it (electronic signature is fine). Then send the pdf via email attachment to Eric Myers at ermyers@amherst.edu by November 30, 2023. He will upload your letter to the Udall Scholarship online application system.

Have questions? Please contact us.

Physical address: 100 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002

Mailing Address: AC #2214, PO Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002