Deadline: 17-May-23
The First Nations Development Institute has launched the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship to support the work of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they significantly advance their work and spark transformative change in their communities.
In this sense, community is broadly defined and can include your Native community, knowledge community, etc.
First Nations will award 10 fellowships of $75,000 each to 10 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 a two-year, self-directed enrichment program designed to support the process of growth, development, knowledge, and networks of Native leaders and thinkers. This unique and exciting fellowship seeks to support individuals from diverse fields and engaged in different modes of expression. 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.
Benefits
- This fellowship will provide awards in the amount of $75,000 each to 10 individuals. This fellowship is flexible in that it allows emerging and experienced knowledge holders and knowledge makers to determine their own goals, and decide how their funds are best used to make a positive impact for creation, dissemination and perpetuation of knowledge.
Fellowship Period
- The start date of the fellowship is January 1, 2024, and the end date is December 31, 2025.
- During the first year, fellows will receive $50,000 to support their work and efforts, be required to attend three fellow convenings and receive up to $5,000 in additional support for capacity-building activities and materials. During the second year, fellows will receive $25,000 to extend and deepen their work.
Eligibility Criteria
- The fellowship is open to emerging and experienced 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.
- To be eligible for the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship
- Applicants must be tribally-affiliated with a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian community.
- Applicants must be engaged in the creation, dissemination, and/or perpetuation of knowledge in their field.
- Applicants should have experience or expertise within the knowledge field/area they are pursuing.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Applicants must be able to clearly demonstrate how their work can impact and benefit an Indigenous community or communities in the U.S. and U.S. Territories.
- Individuals may apply directly for this fellowship OR individuals may nominate Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers for this fellowship.
Requirements and Guidelines
- For 42 years, First Nations has had the privilege of working with countless Native leaders including elders, knowledge keepers, cultural advisors, language experts and other members of Indigenous communities dedicated to using their wisdom and ingenuity to restore, rebuild and/or perpetuate Indigenous knowledge systems. First Nations has witnessed such individuals spark significant innovation and positive change in their communities.
- This fellowship honors and supports individuals as they work to further knowledge creation, dissemination, and perpetuation. This fellowship will give Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers the funding and connections necessary to maximize their potential and realize their vision. This fellowship will provide knowledge producers with the resources to match their existing knowledge, passion, and drive to achieve their personal and/or community goals.
- 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 and/or both Western knowledge fields or traditional Indigenous 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 many more
- As part of the application process, fellows will be expected to define and articulate their primary knowledge field or area.
For more information, visit Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship.
