Thank you for your interest in the Caleb Scholars Program. Although our application period is currently closed, we appreciate your commitment to advancing Inuit leadership and conservation. Caleb Scholars are selected once a year.
Next Application Cycle: Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 academic year
Application Opening: May 2026
Deadline: July 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM in your local time zone
Questions:
For support in preparing a strong application, check out our Eligibility Criteria, Application Checklist, Essay Prompts, and the Expectations of a Caleb Scholar below.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be of Alaskan Inuit heritage.
- Must be tribally enrolled or a direct descendent of a tribe from the following regions:Norton Sound, Northwest Arctic, Arctic Slope
- Direct descendants who are also enrolled in a tribe outside of the Norton Sound, Northwest Arctic, or Arctic Slope regions are still eligible.
- Currently enrolled at an accredited university or college.
- Undergraduate requirements:
- full-time or part-time status
- 36 credit hours completed
- minimum cumulative and current GPA of at least 2.5
- Graduate requirements:
- full-time or part-time status
- minimum cumulative and current GPA of at least 3.0
Application Checklist:
- Completed Application Form
Email the following supportive documents to :
- Current unofficial transcripts
- Class registration for the upcoming semester showing full-time or part-time status
- One letter of recommendation addressing your suitability for the Caleb Scholars Program. View our letter of recommendation packet here.
Essay Tips:
- Follow word limits and instructions.
- Read the prompt carefully and note what is being asked (there may be multiple parts). Answer all parts of the question.
- Reflect on the program’s purpose and how your response aligns with it.
- Describe how you will support Inuit-led conservation advocacy in your future work.
- Include specific examples.
- Use language from the prompt to guide your response.
- Proofread your essay and check for clarity.
View our Essay examples here.
Essay Prompts:
Short Answer (up to 100 words):
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- Please specify the tribe from the Norton Sound, Northwest Arctic, or Arctic Slope regions that you are affiliated with and indicate whether you are an enrolled tribal member or a direct descendant.
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How are you connected to an Alaska Arctic Inuit community in the Norton Sound, Northwest Arctic, or Arctic Slope regions In your response, you may include family ties, where you were raised, time spent in the community, and/or your cultural and community involvement.
Essay Questions (100 – 300 words):
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- What does Inuit-led conservation advocacy mean to you? How will your education and degree program support your role in Inuit-led conservation advocacy?
- Caleb Scholars Fellows have access to supplemental funding to support travel, internships, conferences, equipment for classes or research, and other program-related activities. How do you plan to use this funding if selected as a Caleb Scholars Fellow?
Expectations of Caleb Scholars:
Students selected for the Caleb Scholars Program are passionate, talented, and committed to making a difference. They demonstrate an understanding of how their unique interests can contribute to conservation and community leadership. While in the Program, Scholars are expected to:
- Participate in a mentorship
- Engage in extracurricular activities that support your academic and professional growth, including conferences, webinars, monthly Virtual Qargi meetings, and advocacy efforts.
- Complete the required Positive Community Citizenship Training
- Maintain eligibility as outlined in our Program Policies
