Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:
To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields; or
To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy, including fields related to tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, tribal law, Native American education, Native American justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, Native American economic development, and other areas affecting Native American communities; or
To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care, including health care administration, social work, medicine, dentistry, counseling, and research into health conditions affecting Native American communities, and other related fields.
Scholars are selected on the basis of:
Demonstrated commitment to environmental or natural resource issues; OR Demonstrated commitment to tribal public policy*; OR Demonstrated commitment to Native American health care*. Commitment is demonstrated through substantial contributions to and participation in one or more of the following: campus activities, research, tribal involvement, community or public service. *Nominees in the categories of tribal public policy OR Native American health care must be Native American or Alaska Native students.
Course of study and proposed career likely to lead to position where nominee can make significant contributions to the shaping of either environmental, or tribal public policy, or Native American health care issues, whether through scientific advances, public or political service, or community action.
Leadership, character, desire to make a difference, general well-roundedness.
Financial need is not a criterion for selection.
Interested Yale students should first read the very helpful official application instructions and advice on the Udall website, as well as the Yale application information here. After doing so, they are encouraged to refer questions to Fellowship Programs (meetings by appointment).
*Note that the Udall regularly offers webinars for students: see their website for dates/details.
A complete application for Yale's nomination for the Udall includes the following items, all of which must be submitted before the campus application deadline:
A completed Udall application in this database, which includes questions about your professional aspirations, leadership experience, interest in research and/or graduate school, and public service experience.
An essay (according to the official instructions in the Udall application or in the Udall sample application) of no more than 800 words, on how the core values of civility, integrity, and consensus which guided the public service careers of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udallresonate with you today and how you exemplify at least one of these values in your personal and professional life.
Three letters of reference: these should speak to your leadership, public service, and academic achievement; typically at least one should be written by a faculty member in your major field of study, but there is no requirement that all three letters must come from faculty members. If you're applying in the field of tribal policy or Native American health care it's very helpful to get a letter from someone who can address your commitment to Indian Country. Not sure whom to ask? The folks in the Fellowships office would be delighted to help.
If you are applying in the fields of tribal public policy or Native American health care: a copy of your tribal enrollment card or other tribal verification will be needed (see the Udall FAQs for information about acceptable documentation).
Transcripts:
For the initial campus competition, unofficial Yale College transcripts will suffice. However, for the ensuing national competition, nominees must request official transcripts from the Yale College Registrar (these may be ordered through the Fellowships office).
An official transcript must also be requested from any other institution attended for post-secondary studies. Only one official copy of each transcript is required. For the campus round of competition, a scanned version may be uploaded to the Yale Student Grants Database.
See the categories of eligibility in "Award description" above, and notes on the official Udall website.
Yale College is invited annually to nominate up to eight sophomores or juniors to the national competition. Applicants must have a college grade point average of at least "B" and must be U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, or U.S. nationals intending to pursue careers in fields related to the environment, health care, or tribal public policy as defined above.
Yale students with questions about their eligibility for the Udall are encouraged to contact fellowships@yale.edu or schedule an appointment with the Udall adviser.