Applications are open for the FNDI Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship Program 2019/2020. Native food-system control has the potential to increase food production, improve health and nutrition. Also, eliminate food insecurity in rural and reservation-based communities, while also promoting entrepreneurship and economic development. The purpose of the Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship Program is to encourage more Native American college students to enter agriculture and agriculture-related fields.

FNDI will award 20 to 25 $1,000 to $1,500 scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic school year to Native American college students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields, including but not limited to agribusiness management, agriscience technologies, agronomy, animal husbandry, aquaponics, environmental studies, fisheries and wildlife, food production and safety, food-related policy and legislation, food science and technology, horticulture, irrigation science, and sustainable agriculture or food systems.

At First Nations Development Institute (FNDI), they believe that reclaiming control over local food systems is an important step toward ensuring the long-lasting health and economic well-being of Native people and communities. Native food-system control has the potential to increase food production, improve health and nutrition, and eliminate food insecurity in rural and reservation-based communities, while also promoting entrepreneurship and economic development.

Scholarship

• First Nations will award 20 to 25 $1,000 to $1,500 scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic school year.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students majoring in an agricultural-related field, or be able to demonstrate how their degree program relates to Native food systems;
• Further, applicants must be tribally-affiliate and able to provide documentation;
• Applicants must have at least a 2.75-grade point average (GPA);
• Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to helping his/her community reclaim local food-system control.

Application

The following requirements for a complete application:

• Proof of tribal affiliation (i.e. enrollment card, CIB, a letter from the tribe, etc.)
• College enrollment-verification form
• Unofficial transcript
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
• Headshot for possible use in First Nations’ publicity activities (optional)