Native Forward Community Impact Research Funding Grant

Native Forward Community Impact Research Funding Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Native Forward Scholars Fund
Last Updated: December 09, 2025

Summary

The Native Forward Community Impact Research Funding supports doctoral candidates conducting research that addresses issues affecting Indian Country. This initiative provides essential financial assistance for data collection, analysis, and research travel, ensuring that Native perspectives are included in academic discourse. By fostering the next generation of Native leaders, this funding aims to empower scholars and enhance community impact through education and advocacy, ultimately preserving and enriching Native cultures.

Overview

Our Story Throughout our 50-year history, Native Forward has empowered over 22,000 students from over 500 Tribes in all 50 states by providing scholarship dollars and support for services for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Our collective story is woven together from a diverse fabric of cultures, customs, and histories. The exchange of ideas and knowledge enriches our shared experiences from one generation to the next. We are all part of contributing to that story and with each Native perspective and journey, the next chapter will evolve and grow. We believe higher education deepens our transformative impact on every part of society. Knowledge and experience are powerful tools that can advance and preserve our way of life. By learning from the past, we are creating our own brilliant future. For more than 50 years, we have empowered Native leaders through national scholarship funding and student services to share their voices and strengthen their communities. To inspire excellence with impact, we provide: Holistic support services and resources to help Native students access and navigate the higher education of their choice. A strong network of engaged alumni that fosters community and mentorship beyond our organization. Advocacy of greater representation and visibility of Native communities. Trusted stewardship of donor support and scholarship funding to make meaningful differences. Empowering Native scholars and increasing visibility through higher education. Native Forward Community Impact Research Funding Native Forward Scholars Fund established the Community Impact Research Funding Program to assist doctoral students pursuing research which focuses on issues impacting Indian Country. This one-time award provides financial assistance to offset costs directly associated with data collection and data analysis. Native Forward will provide assistance for research travel, research supplies, data analysis tools or subscriptions. This award will also cover fees incurred for transcription services, analysis services, analysis review and editing fees (documentation for itemized costs must be submitted).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be considered for Community Impact Research Funding doctoral candidates must meet the following requirements:Be an enrolled member or a descendant of a federally or state-recognized Tribe.Provide proof of Tribal enrollment via a copy of their Certificate Degree of Indian Blood, Tribal membership card, OR a letter of enrollment/descendancy from their Tribal enrollment office.Be enrolled in a U.S. accredited non-profit institution.Applicants must be a current doctoral candidate.Submit proof of candidacy from Dissertation Committee Chair, or from Dean of Graduate Studies.Provide a budget detailing the proposed use of the funds.Submit receipts for expenses incurred.