Applications for Indigenous Knowledge Fellowships

In partnership with the Henry Luce Foundation, the First Nations Development Institute invites applications for the 2023 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship. 

The goal of the fellowship is to support the work of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they significantly advance their careers and spark transformative change in their communities. In this sense, the community is broadly defined and can include applicants’ Native community, knowledge community, etc.

Through the program, 10 two-year fellowships of $75,000 each will be awarded to outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities in either reservation and/or urban settings. The fellowship is open to both emerging and experienced leaders and thinkers from a wide variety of fields, including but not limited to agriculture, food systems, youth leadership development, natural resource management, climate change, economic development, journalism, language and cultural revitalization, traditional and contemporary arts, and more.

During the fellowship period, fellows will gather three times to pool their collective knowledge and create a community of practice that crosses fields, geographies, and tribal cultures. These three required convenings will allow fellows the opportunity to engage in rich conversations intended to strengthen their leadership skills, reflect on their impact, share their learning and experiences and promote enduring professional relationships. These cohorts will empower fellows to overcome any geographic and cultural isolation they may experience by being Native knowledge holders or knowledge makers, possibly the only ones in their field. 

Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers are individuals engaged in creating, disseminating, and perpetuating knowledge that advances their respective field or expertise area. This includes those engaged in either and/or both Western knowledge fields or traditional Indigenous fields of knowledge development and dissemination, including but not limited to, 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; and academics, researchers, and scientists.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 years of age, and tribally affiliated with a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian community. Applicants may self-apply or nominate another individual. 

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the First Nations Development Institute website.