Faculty Development Programs

The American Indian College Fund administers four programs to fund faculty research or terminal degree completion for current faculty at tribal colleges accredited for higher education that are full members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

For questions please contact Hepsi Barnett.

Fellowship Programs for Tribal College Faculty Pursuing Masters' or Doctoral Degrees

Mellon Foundation Faculty Career Enhancement (Doctoral) Fellowship

The intent of this program is to increase and retain the number of credentialed faculty at the nation's tribal colleges and tribal universities. This fellowship will provide substantial financial support to current tribal college faculty in the final stages of a doctoral or terminal degree program.

This prestigious and highly competitive award offers a $30,000 fellowship and a $2,250 travel stipend to selected fellows. Fellows must be currently enrolled in an accredited program, considered “All But Dissertation” and be engaged in a full-time program of study and continue teaching for two years at a tribal college.

The deadline for the following programs has passed. The new applications for the 2013-14 academic year will be posted in the summer with a February/March 2013 deadline.

Download Application [PDF 684kb] »

Nyswander-Manson/Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Faculty Grant (Master's/Doctoral) at a Tribal College

The program, funded by the Nyswander-Manson Fund and Kim Blanchard, provides financial support to a select group of current faculty at a tribal college who are pursuing a doctoral degree. Funding will assist faculty in completing research requirements and other activities that will contribute to attaining their degrees.

To qualify, applicants must be a current tribal college faculty member enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program; possess a demonstrated commitment to American Indian education and scholarship; and agree to serve as faculty for at least one year at a tribal college after completing the research project.

Application deadline is March 30, 2012

Download Application [PDF 398kb] »

Sloan Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program (Master's/Doctoral) in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation established this fellowship with the American Indian College Fund to increase and retain the number of credentialed, diverse, and underrepresented faculty at the nation’s tribal colleges.

This fellowship provides current tribal college faculty in the final stages of a terminal degree program and recognized as All But Dissertation (ABD) with a one-year award of $36,000 to complete their dissertation and requirements for graduation.

The deadline for the following programs has passed. The new applications for the 2013-14 academic year will be posted in the summer with a February/March 2013 deadline.

Download Application [PDF 2345kb] »

Fellowship Programs to Promote TCU Faculty Research and Publication

Mellon Foundation Faculty Research Fellowship Program

This program is designed to increase the number of faculty research projects within the tribal colleges and in Indian communities. The Mellon Faculty Research Program allows tribal college faculty the necessary time off to complete scholarly research, prepare publications, and present research at national conferences with the support of a tribal college student research assistant.

The Mellon Faculty Research Program will award two to three $34,000 research fellowships each year plus provide funds for travel and conferences.

Applicants must have at least a master's degree and agree to teach for two years at a tribal college.

The deadline for the following programs has passed. The new applications for the 2013-14 academic year will be posted in the summer with a February/March 2013 deadline.

Download Application [PDF 684kb] »