The National Indian Education Association (NIEA), with support from the Henry Luce Foundation and the Vadon Foundation, presents the Emerging Native Language Leaders (ENLL) Fellowship. The ENLL Fellowship is designed to create connections between emerging and veteran Native Language leaders as well as provide prescriptive professional development to address common challenges in doing Native Language revitalization work. In addition, there will be opportunities for past and current fellows to interact and expand their peer support network.

Fellows will meet ten times during the fellowship year and have a chance to engage with veteran Native Language leaders and build a network, while also having the opportunity to address challenges and strategies for leadership growth with these mentors. The fellows will also develop a peer support group.

Fellows will receive:
1) Choice of laptop or tablet to access virtual meetings that Fellows keep after their year has ended.
2) One year of membership to NIEA
3) Fully sponsored travel to attend in-person fellowship session and NIEA convention
4) $7500 upon completion of fellowship

Eligibility Criteria:
  • 18-30 years old
  • American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian (if selected, fellow will submit documented proof of Native enrollment, lineage, or descent).
  • Working in Native Language in a tribe, organization, or school
Fellows MUST be able to attend NIEA Convention in person October 4-10, 2026, in Buffalo, New York
All information collected in this application will be for internal use only.
Applications are due by May 30, 2025

Question Title

* 1. First and Last Name:

Question Title

* 2. Email Address:

Question Title

* 3. Mailing Address:

Question Title

* 4. Years Working in Native Language:

Question Title

* 5. Tribal Affiliation(s)/Enrollment:

Question Title

* 6. Birthdate:

Date

Question Title

* 7. What has been your journey with Native language(s) so far?

Question Title

* 8. Please submit a brief (250 words max) description of why you would like to join the Emerging Native Language Leaders fellowship:

Question Title

* 9. What do you hope to gain from being an Emerging Native Language Leaders Fellow? (150 words max)

Question Title

* 10. How do you hope to directly impact your community by being an Emerging Native Language Leaders Fellow? (150 words max)

Question Title

* 11. What topics you are hoping to address in this fellowship?

Question Title

* 12. Please submit a current resume.

Question Title

* 13. Please submit a letter of support from someone familiar with your work.

T