Higher Education Scholarships & Internships

Columbia Basin tribes have a growing share of responsibility for protecting and restoring the region’s natural resources. An important reason for their success is a commitment to holistic, multi-disciplinary management.

Science, mathematics, technology, education, business and the law combine with the tribes’ traditional ecological values to make up the bedrock of sound resource management.

Success in this enterprise demands an educated and skilled workforce to fill specialized positions. A goal of all Columbia Basin tribes is to fill these positions with their own members.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission aims to foster the educational pursuits of the tribes’ student population by providing experience, research, mentoring, and opportunities to explore career options in fisheries and natural resources at all levels.

The tribes and CRITFC are helping create the next generation of warriors. By acquiring knowledge and skills, coming generations can be effective actors in protecting the resources their cultures depend on.

Below is a list of natural resources-related scholarships and internships that might be beneficial for prospective tribal college students as they prepare to become tomorrow’s warriors protecting salmon and the earth.

Regional Scholarship Opportunities and Resources

Idaho

University of Idaho

• Programs: Fisheries and Aquaculture (Bachelors of Science degrees offered)
• Tribal Excellence Scholarship (contact: Yolanda Bisbee yobiz@uidaho.edu)
• Fisheries Program (contact Chris Caudill caudill@uidaho.edu)
• Aquaculture Program (contact: Brian Small bcsmall@uidaho.edu)

College of Southern Idaho

• Contact: Melissa Wagner MDWagner@csi.edu)
• Programs: Aquaculture (Certificate, or Associates of Science Degree); Fisheries/Natural Resources Mgmt (Associates of Science degree)

Idaho State University

• Programs: Ecology and Conservation Biology (Bachelors degrees)
• Contact: Janet Loxterman janetloxterman@isu.edu
• Tribal scholarships & tuition

Oregon

Mt Hood Community College

• Programs: Fisheries Technology (Associates Degree)
• Contact: Todd Hanna todd.hanna@mhcc.edu)

Oregon State University

• Programs: Fisheries and Aquaculture (Bachelors of Science degrees offered)
• Tribal Grants and Scholarships
• Oregon Tribal Student Grant Program
• Nine Oregon tribes scholarships and resources
• Aquaculture (contact Seth White whitese@oregonstate.edu)
• Fisheries (contact: Selina Heppell selina.heppell@oregonstate.edu)
• New Beginnings for Tribal Students internship

Eastern Oregon University

• Programs: Ecological Biology & Natural Resource Management (Bachelors of Science degrees offered)
• Tribal tuition information

Oregon Chapter American Fisheries Society

• Scholarships and grants
• 2024 Annual Meeting Registration Fee Assistance Waiver

Columbia Riverkeeper

• Internship opportunities 

Washington

University of Washington

• Programs: Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (Bachelors of Science degree)
• School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (contact (Tim Essington essing@uw.edu)
• Tribal scholarships and tuition discounts

Washington State University

• Programs: Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Sciences (Bachelors degree)
• Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
• Aquatic Lab (contact Michael Phelps michael.phelps1@wsu.edu)
• Tribal tuition discounts

Eastern Washington University

• Programs: Biology-Fisheries (Bachelors degree)
• Fisheries Courses (contact Paul Spruell pspruell@ewu.edu)
• Tribal programs

Internships