May 10, 2022
Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship
Application Deadline: May 26, 2022, 4 p.m. Pacific Time
- For tribally-affiliated Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian applicants
- Applicants must be engaged in the creation, dissemination and/or perpetuation of knowledge in their field
- Applicants’ work must benefit an Indigenous community or communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories
- Two-year fellowship of $75,000
- Restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship supports the exceptional creativity, progressive and critical thinking, and the potential of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they move forward their field in ways that will ultimately lead to broad, transformative impacts for Indigenous communities.
Fellowship Overview
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. These fellowships 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.
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 new fellowship will seek 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.
During the fellowship period, fellows will gather together 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 give 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 a Native knowledge holder or knowledge maker, possibly as the only one in their field.
Fellowship Period
First Nations provides a $75,000 award that may be used flexibly over two years. The start date of the fellowship is January 1, 2023, and the end date is December 31, 2024.
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.
Relevant Disciplines
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