We would like to invite you to the 2024 USDA Tribal Scholarships and Faculty/Staff Fellowships Information Session for faculty, staff, and administrators to learn about the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program and USDA Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship Program on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 (10:00AM – 10:30AM w/ Q&A).

Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdempqzwiHJKKjlKx-_Uz-KlQLu40SZs

2024 USDA Tribal Scholarships and Faculty/Staff Fellowships Information Session with The University of Arizona (11/15/2023) with Q&A.

Lawrence Shorty, 1994 Program Director, USDA will share an overview of the New Four-Year Tuition Coverage for Tribal Scholars Program. New this year, the tuition coverage can follow the student from a two-year associate program at a tribal college or university (TCU) to a four-year bachelor’s degree program (at a TCU or another land-grant institution). And Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Faculty/Staff Fellowship Program. Welcomed faculty and staff from tribal colleges and universities and state land-grant universities to learn about USDA research opportunities, programs, and services through the Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship. This program is part of USDA’s commitment to remove barriers to service for tribal nations, and encourage tribal economic development opportunities, workforce development, and tribal and national food security. The program is administered by USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations.

The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, a housing stipend, and paid workforce training to any interested and eligible student pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines at a tribal college or university. New this year, the tuition coverage can follow the student from a two-year associate program at a tribal college or university (TCU) to a four-year bachelor’s degree program (at a TCU or another land-grant institution). When the student has completed the scholarship requirements, including a paid internship, USDA may convert the student to a permanent USDA employee without further competition. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, full-time students currently enrolled at a 1994 land-grant tribal college or university, or recent TCU associate degree graduates. For FY 2024, 27 scholarship slots are available at: Agriculture Research Service, Farm Service Agency, Farm Production and Conservation, Forest Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The application deadline is December 1, 2023.

Th USDA Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship Program seeks to strengthen tribal college and university research capacity, and introduce TCU faculty and staff to USDA programs and services. In June 2024, the Fellows will spend a week in Washington, D.C. to meet with USDA program leads, identify areas for collaboration, and learn more about USDA resources. During a second week, they are placed at a USDA research facility that aligns with their academic research interests. This year’s research collaborations will take place with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Fellows return to their institution with new knowledge to benefit their community, cooperative research opportunities, and advance their tribal college land-grant mission of research, education, and extension. The application deadline is December 1, 2023.