NAFWS is dedicated to disseminating information to Native youth and early professionals that is directly related to natural resources and the STEM fields.
Educational Resources
If you have an opportunity and/or resources related to natural resources for Native youth (ages 5 – 25) and/or early professionals (1 – 5 years into career) and would like to share on our website. Please submit the form below, we will do our best to post and update frequently.
Scholarships & Funding
Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation (KGASF) Scholarship
Application period remains open. Each year the KGASF awards a number of scholarships to Indigenous students. Awards have ranged from $1,000 to $8,000 (USD) each — based on need. These scholarship awards are unrestricted, meaning that the recipients can use the funds for any purpose to advance their studies — tuition, books, rent, groceries, transportation, etc.
To qualify, students or prospective students must be:
- an enrolled Member of a Tribe or First Nation, or a Member of a Metis, Inuit or Alaskan Native group; and
- be enrolled to study at a university, community college or a technical or trade institution.
In addition, students should be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree or certificate or be engaged in a program focused on:
- aquaculture;
- fisheries;
- natural resource management; or
- a field closely related to the above subjects.
More information on the focus or our awards is found here: https://kurtgrinnellscholarship.org/scholarship-eligibility/ .
Applicants must follow the instructions on the KGASF website where more information is available: https://kurtgrinnellscholarship.org/scholarship-application-2/ –
Over the past three years, the KGASF has awarded over $65,000 in scholarships. One of our scholarship recipients recently successfully defended her M.S. Thesis and will soon be awarded an M.S. Degree. See: https://laurentian.ca/newstags/taylor-nicholls Students who have received scholarships are Members of the Yakama Nation in Washington State, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Upper Michigan, the Wahnapitae First Nation in Ontario, Canada, the Yurok and Karok Tribes in Northern California and the Chugach Alaska Corporation and Native Village of Eyak, Alaska.
- Glenn DelGiudice Memorial Scholarship for Native Americans Sponsor: Center for Wildlife Studies Faculty Fellowship Program
- This scholarship is aimed at helping to train a future career wildlife researcher, with preference given to applicants with similar interests and principles as Glenn and are Native Americans or First Nations/Peoples. Glenn was all about enlarging the field of good wildlife researchers, and so it seemed apt to offer this scholarship, in his name, to those who might otherwise not be able to take this training, which is an essential step in a career that involves animal handling. The scholarship will cover the full tuition of the online and field course (valued >$2,000) that runs November 18-21, 2024. Accommodations at the Wildlife Science Center in Stacy, Minnesota, are covered by the scholarship, but applicants are responsible for travel and dinner expenses. To apply, please send an email to [email protected] by October 20, 2024, with the following information in a single pdf file:
- A cover letter that describes your eligibility as a Native American or First Nations/Peoples, a description of your previous experiences and career interests, and how this training will help your career development. • Curriculum Vitae or resume • Recent transcript if you are a student • A letter of recommendation from a supervisor or major professor
- Deadline: October 20, 2024
- This scholarship is aimed at helping to train a future career wildlife researcher, with preference given to applicants with similar interests and principles as Glenn and are Native Americans or First Nations/Peoples. Glenn was all about enlarging the field of good wildlife researchers, and so it seemed apt to offer this scholarship, in his name, to those who might otherwise not be able to take this training, which is an essential step in a career that involves animal handling. The scholarship will cover the full tuition of the online and field course (valued >$2,000) that runs November 18-21, 2024. Accommodations at the Wildlife Science Center in Stacy, Minnesota, are covered by the scholarship, but applicants are responsible for travel and dinner expenses. To apply, please send an email to [email protected] by October 20, 2024, with the following information in a single pdf file:
- American Indian College Fund
- AICF invests in Native students and Tribal college education to transform lives and communities. The College Fund and its supporters uphold the promise and importance of educational success for Native people and all of our futures. (excerpt from collegefund.org)
- Native Forward Scholars Fund
-
- NFSF provides scholarships and support to services to undergraduate, graduates and professionals.
- Cobell Scholarship
-
- Cobell Scholarships offers are merit-based following a lengthy application and referral process. Cobell Scholarship awards are disbursed according to US Federal Student Aid standards and the policies of the individual colleges and universities. The Cobell Scholarship is annual, non-renewable, and available to any post-secondary (after high school) student who is: an enrolled member of a US Federally-recognized Tribe, enrolled in or plans to enroll in full-time study and is degree-seeking while attending any nationally, regionally and industry accredited non-profit, public and private, institution. (excerpt from cobellscholasr.org)
Programs
Bureau of Indian Affairs Pathways Program
-
- For inquiries and more info, please email [email protected]The BIA Pathways Internship Program connects Native American and Alaska Native students to paid internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Nations across the United States. (Excerpt from BIA.gov)
- Student Conservation Association: High School Conservation Crews
High schoolers aged 16 – 19 years old, community crews available in multiple cities across the US
- Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress (NYCALC)
The mission of the Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress (NYCALC) is to develop future conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address environmental change and conservation challenges to better serve their schools and home communities.
- National Conservation Leadership Institute
The Institute is designed to be a meta-program into which graduates of various internal organizational leadership programs could pursue expanding their leadership capacity. But the Institute is by no measure only a training program; it is a unique comprehensive learning experience designed to challenge assumptions, teach skills, facilitate networking, and strengthen confidence, preparing extraordinary leadership for the future.
- Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program
Is to effect a systemic change in the hiring patterns of Indigenous Americans in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by increasing the number of individuals on a career path to leadership within STEM fields.
Professional & Youth Organizations
-
American Indian Science & Engineering Society
The AISES mission is to increase substantially the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines. - SACNAS
The SACNAS mission is to celebrate and cultivate diversity in STEM Education and Fields. -
Center for Native American Youth
The Center for Native American Youth is dedicated to improving the health, safety and overall well-being of Native American youth through communication, policy development and advocacy. - United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)
UNITY’s Mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. - Environmental Career
- The Environmental Career Center provides employers and job seekers with comprehensive career, and staffing services in the environmental, sustainability, natural resources, energy, and green jobs sectors.
-
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
As a professional organization for environmental educators, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) facilitates communication, cooperation, collaboration, and coordination among the varied environmental education programs in the state.
External Announcements & Opportunities
Graduate Research Assistant (Masters) – Antelope Migration Patterns
Location: University of Montana
Position Type: Graduate Research Assistantships (Masters)
Start Date: Fall 2025
Position Overview:
Read the project summary Here.
-
We are looking for a native student, preferably from one of the four Hi-Line Reservations, to lead our understanding and mapping of Traditional Ecological Knowledge based migratory routes.
-
The project would be a M.S. Project. As such, the Sloan Scholarship would be at the $20K level.
-
Dr. Mark Hebblewhite as the student’s advisor.
Reach out to Andrew Jakes if you have any questions. Cell: 406-439-7583 or email: [email protected]
Graduate Research Assistant (Masters) – Bat Ecology
Location: Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF)
Position Type: Graduate Research Assistantships (Masters)
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (or until filled)
Start Date: Fall 2025 (with option to begin field work Summer 2025)
Position Overview:
We are seeking a motivated and dedicated Graduate Research Assistants to conduct research in support of the shared research agenda between Indigenous Nations and the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment:
Graduate Research Assistant – Bat Ecology:
This position will focus on characterizing the presence and activity of the bat communities on and adjacent to the Indigenous Nation lands, and the impacts of nearby development on bat communities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct research aligned with the shared research priorities for bat projects.
- Analyze data to address the questions within the shared research agenda.
- Collaborate with faculty, Indigenous Nations, and fellow researchers on ongoing initiatives.
- Prepare and present research findings in academic, governmental, and community formats as appropriate.
- Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to project discussions.
- Follow research protocols in respecting Indigenous sovereignty and rights.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields [e.g. Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, etc.].
- Experience, knowledge, and/or interest in working with Indigenous Nations on environmental research.
- Must be comfortable in a rugged forest environment with most of the hiking off trail in what could be hot and humid conditions.
- Must be willing to work varied daily schedules, often long hours (>10 hours) during the field season.
- Strong navigational skills with maps, compass, GPS devices, and with limited cell service.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with GIS software or a willingness to learn.
- Interest in learning or experience with: acoustic recording devices and analysis software; R and statistical programs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.
- Valid Driver’s License
Preferred Start Date: Summer 2025 for Fieldwork and Training
Benefits:
- Tuition and stipend for four semesters at SUNY ESF if research/academic duties are continually met
- Summer funding opportunities for fieldwork if research/academic duties are continually met
- Opportunity to contribute to impactful research, publications and land justice in collaboration with Indigenous Nations.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should reach out to Vanessa Rojas ([email protected]) with:
- A cover letter detailing your research interests and relevant experience, specifying which position you are applying for.
- Current resume/CV
- Subject Line: Bat Graduate Research Assistant
Get The Eagle Nest Newsletter
In Recognition of Their Support
The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society would like to thank those organizations that provided us with support over the years. With them we grew an effective national communications network for the exchange of information and management techniques related to self-determined tribal fish and wildlife management.
