NAFSI Scholarship Overview

At First Nations, we believe reclaiming control over local food systems is a critical step toward ensuring the long-lasting health and economic well-being of Native people and communities. Native-controlled food systems have the potential to increase food production, improve health and nutrition, and eliminate food insecurity in rural and reservation-based communities, while also promoting entrepreneurship and economic development.

The Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments (NAFSI) Scholarship program supports Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students to enter agriculture and food systems fields so that they can better assist their communities with their food systems efforts.

Scholarship Awards

First Nations will award 20 to 25 scholarships at the amount of $1,000 to $1,500  for the 2025-2026 academic school year to Native college or university students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields, including but not limited to agribusiness management, agri-science technologies, agronomy, animal husbandry, aquaponics, environmental studies, fisheries and wildlife, food production and safety, food-related policy and legislation, food science and technology, horticulture, irrigation science, and sustainable agriculture or food systems programs.

Scholarship Submission Deadline

Applications are due Thursday, July 11, 2025, no later than 5 pm Mountain Time. Unfortunately, First Nations cannot make any exceptions to the application deadline. Partial applications, incomplete applications due to user error, or faxed/emailed/mailed applications will not be considered unless they have received prior approval from First Nations.

Scholarship Award Timeline

• Application Open – Monday, May 5, 2025
• Application Close – Thursday, July 11, 2025, 5 pm Mountain Time
• Applicant Notifications –August 2025
• Scholars Awarded – September 2025

Download a PDF of this RFP below: