2025-26 Deadlines
Priority deadline March 14, 2025 | 11:59 p.m. PST
Applications accepted through July 31, 2025 | 11:59 p.m. PST
Overview
The Future Stewards Award was created in cooperation with the Office of the Assistant Vice President and Advisor to the President on Sovereignty and Government-to-Government Relations. This cooperation will provide the University of Oregon an opportunity to work with the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon and Native American tribes that had traditional and customary tribal boundaries in parts of the state of Oregon or that ceded or reserved lands within the state of Oregon to help to make graduate education more accessible for their members.
It is our hope that tribal members who have earned graduate degrees at the University of Oregon will be able to return home to become stewards of their communities who will support their traditional culture, foster educational opportunities, and promote economic development.
2024-25 Awardees
Meet the graduate students who were awarded this prestigious award and learn about how they plan to use their graduate degrees from the University of Oregon to become stewards of their tribal communities.
Award Details for AY25-26 Awardees
- Up to $20,000 in base tuition coverage distributed across 2 years (6 terms or 4 semesters) for masters, doctoral, or law students.
- This award applies only towards base tuition; mandatory fees are not included.
- Funds will be distributed equally across terms/semesters with a maximum of $3,333.33 per term or $5,000 per semester, totaling $10,000 per academic year.
- Full time enrollment is required.
- Two students are awarded each year.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Incoming or current master's, doctoral, or law students who are not offered full funding as part of their original admission offer (typically in the form of a Graduate Employee appointment).
- For 2025 applications, incoming and current master's, doctoral, and law students who are citizens of any federally recognized tribe, including the Chinook Nation, are eligible.
- Note: Priority will be given to members of a federally recognized tribe of Oregon or a Native American tribe that had traditional and customary tribal boundaries in parts of the state of Oregon or that ceded or reserved lands within the state of Oregon, as established by Oregon Administrative Rule 010-0037.
- Students with a Graduate Employee (GE) appointment are not eligible to receive this award. GE appointments already include a full-time tuition waiver.
- This award is non-transferable and cannot be deferred.
Application
The application requires the following:
- Statement of academic purpose (500 words or less) describing your plans for your academic career -and- how you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained to steward, support and honor your tribal community.
- While you will not be required to submit your transcripts and letters of recommendation as part of this application, they may be reviewed by the selection committee.
Selection and Timeline
Applications will be evaluated by representatives from the Office of the President. All materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, are considered during the selection process. Applicants who submit before the priority deadline will receive an decision about their application by early March. All other applicants will receive a decision by mid August.
*Graduate Students with Financial Aid
Receiving this award may reduce your financial aid award. Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to applying for this (and any other type of) support.
For more information, please contact the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Division of Graduate Studies.