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Fellowships to USA Native American Leaders for Projects to Benefit Indigenous Communities

Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship


Agency
Foundation

GrantWatch ID#
186227

Funding Source
FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Array ( [0] => American Samoa (USA); [1] => Guam (USA); [2] => Puerto Rico (USA); [3] => Virgin Islands (USA); [4] => Northern Mariana Islands (USA); )

Geographic Focus
All USA
USA Territories: American Samoa (USA);   Guam (USA);   Puerto Rico (USA);   Virgin Islands (USA);   Northern Mariana Islands (USA);

Important Dates
Deadline: 04/30/25 5:00 PM MT Save

Grant Description
Fellowships of $75,000 to USA and territories Native American leaders for activities that foster change for Indigenous people and their communities. Applicants are required to submit an initial application prior to submitting a full application. Funding is intended to support the advancement and knowledge of participants by assisting with living expenses, conference registration, travel, tuition, equipment, and childcare.

The fellowship is a two-year, self-directed program designed to support the process of growth, development, knowledge, and networks of Indigenous knowledge leaders and thinkers. This unique fellowship will seek to support individuals from diverse knowledge fields, including but not limited to agriculture, food systems, youth leadership development, natural resource management, climate change, economic development, STEM, journalism, language and cultural revitalization, traditional and contemporary arts, and more.

In addition to receiving financial support, fellows will convene three times a year to build connections and pool their collective knowledge and experience to create a community of practice that crosses fields, geographies, and tribal cultures. These three required convenings will give fellows the opportunity to engage in conversations intended to strengthen their leadership skills, reflect on their impact, share their learning and experiences, and promote enduring professional relationships. The cohort will empower fellows to overcome any geographic and cultural isolation they may experience by being a Native knowledge holder or knowledge maker, possibly as the only one in their field.

Eligible expenses:

The goal of this fellowship is to provide flexible funding. Fellows should decide how to best use their funds to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities. The fellowship may be used for a wide range of costs, including but not limited to: living expenses, conference registration, equipment/technology, travel, and childcare.



Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to emerging and experienced individual Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers actively engaged in meaningful, positive work that benefits Indigenous people and communities in either reservation and/or urban settings.

Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers are individuals engaged in the creation, dissemination and perpetuation of knowledge that advances their respective field or expertise area. This includes those engaged in either/or both Western knowledge fields or traditional Native fields of knowledge development and dissemination, including:
• Cultural Leaders and Activists
• Linguists and Language Preservationists
• Artists, Craftspeople, and Designers
• Writers, Storytellers, and Media-Makers
• Curators, Conservators, and Educators
• Food System Workers and Food Justice Advocates
• Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
• Healthcare Professionals and Practitioners
• Environmentalists and Conservationists
• Academics, Researchers, and Scientists
• And more

To be eligible for the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship:
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Must be tribally affiliated with a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian community
• Must be actively engaged in the creation, dissemination, and perpetuation of knowledge in their field
• Should have a body of work that demonstrates experience or expertise within the knowledge field/area they are pursuing
• Must be able to clearly demonstrate how their work can impact and benefit a Native community or communities in the U.S. and U.S. Territories
• Must apply or be nominated as an individual, not on behalf of an organization or group

Individuals may apply directly or an individual may be nominated as a Native knowledge holder or knowledge maker for this fellowship.

Ineligible
• Organizations and tribes are not eligible.
• You may not apply in partnership with another individual.
• The fellowship funds cannot be redirected to another person or organization.

Pre-Application Information
Applications are due Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM MT.

Individuals may apply directly OR an individual may be nominated as a Native knowledge holder or knowledge maker for this fellowship.

Application Process:
• The application process is a two-stage competitive process.
• All applicants must submit a Stage 1 application form through the Online Application System.
• These will be reviewed, and approximately 75 applicants will be invited to submit a full Stage 2 application.

Applicants who are unable to use the online system must request approval from First Nations at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline by submitting an email request or by calling the program office.

All nominees must sign a Consent Form indicating that they have been made aware of and granted permission to the nominator to submit an application on their behalf.

Grantseeker Resources: https://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/grantseeker-resources/
Pre-recorded webinars: https://www.firstnations.org/webinars/grantseeker-resource-webinars/

Number of Grants
10

Estimated Size of Grant
$75,000

Term of Contract
The start date of the fellowship is January 1, 2026, and the end date is December 31, 2027.

Contact Information
Apply online: https://firstnations.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new.

For additional questions about the fellowship program, please contact the Native Arts, Language and Knowledge Team (NALK) by email at NALK@firstnations.org or by phone at (303) 774-7836 and ask for the NALK team.

For assistance with registration, the online portal, or the application, please contact First Nations’ Grantmaking Department by email at grantmaking@firstnations.org or by phone at (303) 774-7836 and ask for Grantmaking.

First Nations Development Institute
2432 Main Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Tel: 303.774.7836
Fax: 303.774.7841
info@firstnations.org


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