Udall Scholarship

Campus endorsement is a competitive process and not guaranteed. Students seeking USC nomination must submit all application components by the campus endorsement deadline. The University may nominate up to 8 candidates per application cycle: 4 candidates for the Environment category, and 4 candidates for the Tribal Public Policy / Native American Health Care category.

Additional Guidelines 
Applicants are evaluated by a committee of AHF staff and/or USC faculty. The committee has endorsed students from a wide range of majors, career goals and leadership experiences. While there is no standard portfolio for a successful candidate, there are some general evaluation guidelines that the committee typically follows:

• Commitment: A deep passion for the environment, tribal policy, or Native health care is evident from the stated career goals, and through activities, service, academic pursuits, references, etc. Involvement in relevant campus or community activities is consistent and ongoing. The application gives insight into the student’s motivation or the driving force behind her/his passion.
• Character: Leadership, service, and integrity. Application reveals a desire to make a difference and solve problems. Demonstrated leadership experience goes beyond sitting on a committee or planning an event to motivating others and producing results that benefit the campus or community. References attest to character and potential.
• Trajectory: The career goals, activities and service demonstrate that the student has begun to work towards a career that will allow him/her to make significant contributions to environmental issues, her/his tribe, tribes in general, or Native Americans in general through political or public service, community action, or scientific advances. The reader understands which issues related to the environment, tribal policy, or Native health care the student wants to work on, how they plan to do it, and is convinced that they will go on to use their degree to help Indian people or impact the environment.

You must receive campus endorsement from the university before you can start the Udall Scholarship application.

The application includes the following components:

• Biographical Information
  • Additional documentation is required for applicants in tribal public policy and health care, and for U.S. permanent residents.
• Upload resume and unofficial transcripts for all college coursework
• 7 Short Responses
  • In one or two sentences, describe your career goal.
  • What are your professional aspirations? What issues, needs or problems do you hope to address?
  • Describe non-course-related research experience, if applicable.
  • Describe a leadership experience in which you made a difference on campus or in your community.
  • Describe a specific activity or experience that has been important in clarifying or strengthening your commitment to the environment OR tribal public policy, OR Native American health care.
  • Describe briefly your most significant public service, community, or campus activities associated with your interests in the environment OR tribal public policy, OR Native American health care, in which you regularly participate. Explain the duration, degree, and significance of your involvement.
  • What additional information do you wish to share with the Udall Scholarship review committee?
• Essay
  • In 800 words or less, discuss a significant public speech, legislative act, book, or public policy statement by Congressman Morris K. Udall or Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall and its impact on your field of study, interests, and career goals
• Letters of recommendation (3)
  • Letters should be written on official letterhead and highlight your leadership, public service, and academic achievements.
  • Your recommenders may come from USC or any other institution or organization that knows your strengths well.
  • Recommenders should email the letter to Academic Honors & Fellowships at ahfstaff@usc.edu

Application for Campus Endorsement

Deadline is Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 11:45 PM (PST)

USC Campus Endorsement Application

• Early November: USC Campus Endorsement application opens.
• January 20, 2026: Campus Endorsement application deadline. 
  • Three letters of recommendation must also be submitted by this deadline
• Late January/Early February: Campus Endorsement interview for competitive applicants, if applicable. Endorsement decisions announced the following week.

Udall Scholarship National Application

• February – March: Endorsed USC candidates receive access to Udall application portal and work with AHF staff to finalize all application materials.
• March 4, 2026 by 11:59PM (MST): National Udall Scholarship Deadline
• April 24, 2026:  Udall Scholars announced
• August: Udall Scholar Orientation in Tucson, Arizona (attendance mandatory)

• Udall Scholarship Website: Interested applicants must complete an extensive review of the website with special attention to the following pages in advance of submitting their application:
  • About the Scholarship
  • Who Should Apply
  • Advice and Guidance
  • Udall Papers at the University of Arizona
  • FAQ