Udall Instructions for Recommenders

Udall Scholars are selected for their potential to shape the future of environmental or tribal policy or Native American health care and for their demonstrated commitment to tribal or environmental issues.

It is important that you know in which category the 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.

• 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?

Letters should address the applicant’s intellectual abilities and academic potential, leadership capabilities, and commitment to environmental issues, tribal public policy, or Native health care.

Due to the university's on-site office restrictions because of the COVID pandemic, we are only able to accept recommendation letters electronically. Please send your letter as a PDF or Word document, signed and on letterhead, and email as an attachment to onsa@honors.umass.edu.

Recommendations should be submitted to ONSA no later than February 23.