Apply for AIISP Funding
Please review the eligibility criteria and application requirements before beginning your funding application.
The American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program offers funding to support undergraduate and graduate student success. We seek to encourage your academic and professional development both inside and outside the classroom, while enhancing your engagement with local and global Indigenous Nations through interdisciplinary collaborations and facilitating co-curricular experiences.
Giving back is at the core of our Full Circle Approach which seeks to empower future Indigenous leaders through relationship building with Indigenous Nations. AIISP prioritizes funding those experiences that demonstrate a true commitment to learning from, and providing benefit to, Indigenous communities through research, developing collaborations, and practical knowledge application.
Funding can be used for a wide range of student pursuits, including but not limited to academic research, professional development, technical skill enhancement, workshop participation, Indigenous-focused service projects, data needs, and travel for conference presentations, research, coursework, or fieldwork.
AIISP expects that any research projects involving Indigenous communities will engage in the highest possible ethical and responsible research practices, and that endeavors are intended to benefit and respond to community needs.
AIISP Funding Overview
Two streams of support are available: Travel & Conference and Enrichment & Internship. Students may request funds from one stream per semester, at a maximum of $1,500. The maximum that a student is eligible to be awarded in one academic year is $3,000.
Students must demonstrate financial need and include an itemized budget listing any additional funding contributions already received or anticipated.
Travel & Conference Support may be requested for costs associated with academic or professional conference presentations or off-campus coursework. This may include items such as conference registration fees, airfare, ground transportation, hotel/lodging, and meals. Does not include per diem.
Enrichment & Internship Support may be requested for costs associated with internships and student research opportunities, such as travel to site, relevant technologies, application fees, and support for high-impact unpaid or low-pay internships.
Case-by-Case Course Supports Under extenuating circumstances, AIISP may provide one-time funding toward a required summer or winter session course and will be considered only if the course is required for the student to graduate on time. In such cases, funding will be provided at 50% of the course cost. Please consult with our Student Support Specialist to inquire about this option.
AIISP Funding Process
- Full-time enrolled Cornell students in good academic standing, without existing incompletes. Those on academic leave are not eligible to apply.
- Undergraduate or Graduate student pursuing an American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) minor.
- AIISP prioritizes awards for Indigenous students, descendants, and allies who are conducting research that benefit Indigenous communities.
- AIISP prioritizes students who have historically or presently engage in AIISP programming and events, attend AIIS classes, are active in Indigenous student organizations and Akwe:kon, or volunteer as a tutors.
- AIISP prioritizes 3rd, 2nd, then 1st year students. First time applicants will be prioritized over repeat applicants.
- Graduate students applying for research funding must have completed one year of study by the time the requested funding for research travel is permitted.
- Awards are contingent upon the availability of funding. Students can be awarded within one stream per semester at a maximum of $1,500. The maximum a student can be awarded per academic year is $3,000 across two applications.
- Please refer to the application deadlines. Applying early can improve receipt of funds in a timely manner.
- Outline the proposed activity prior to submission. During planning, please reach out to our Student Support Specialist to discuss your activities and application plan.
- Funding is not eligible as tuition support. Please note that these funds are separate from a student’s financial aid package and cannot be used to supplement tuition costs during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Funding amount is finalized at time of the approved application. Should you incur expenses beyond the $1,500 maximum per semester, those additional costs will be at the expense of the student and no additional funds will be issued by AIISP.
Prior to the submission of your application packet, we recommend consulting with AIISP’s Student Support Specialist. The application must include:
- Complete Student Information. Please include all required fields, marked by an asterisk (*); attach a bio sketch (150 words max) and CV or resumé.
- Complete Project Description. One single-spaced page explaining how the funded project, activity, or experience will enhance your professional and academic goals. The description should outline how the project will engage with Indigenous communities and demonstrate a commitment to relationship building.
- Relevance – describe the contribution of your research to the field of American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS).
- Methodology & Methods – detail your plan of study, including research/thesis/dissertation plan and specific project goals, and detail information about the sources you plan to access and draw from.
- Timeline – articulate a clear timeline for your project.
- Complete Budget Worksheet. A detailed and well-researched budget that includes expenses and/or projected amount requested, include standard mileage and per diem rates as appropriate, and any amounts of matching funds you have secured or are anticipating. Please complete and submit this budget worksheet along with your application.
- Include Cost Estimates and Proof of Participation. Cost estimates should be provided for any budget items over $500, or if requesting funds to assist with housing costs, a formal statement or document verifying those costs. For conference or workshop, formal notifications and registration receipts should be provided wherever possible.
- Provide an Internal Reference. For undergraduate applicants, the name of a Cornell faculty or advisor that supports the proposed activity to be funded must be included. Graduate applicants must provide a reference or letter of recommendation from their committee faculty member who represents AIIS.
- Provide a Community Reference, when applicable. Verification of collaborative research or projects should be included, such as contact information for the agency or organization.
Once you've gathered your materials, please complete the online application form. Please note a form in progress cannot be saved for later completion.
Travel & Conference Support
Requests are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. We strongly recommend students submit their application a minimum of six (6) weeks in advance of funding needs.
Enrichment & Internship Support
- Winter Session requests are due by November 15, 2024. We encourage students to submit early, to ensure packet details can be reviewed for completeness prior to the final deadline.
- Summer Session requests are due by April 15, 2025. We encourage students to submit early, to ensure packet details can be reviewed for completeness prior to the final deadline.
Students awarded funding must submit the following within one month of completion of the funded activity:
- Schedule a public presentation. Upcoming opportunities should be discussed with our AIISP Student Support Specialist.
- Submit an Impact Statement. A brief report explaining how the funded project, activity, or experience has enhanced your professional and academic goals and benefited Indigenous communities. Alternatively, AIISP may arrange an opportunity to participate in a video interview of your experience.
- Recognize AIISP and any external donors. Those who funded your activity, project, or research should be credited; please contact our AIISP Administrative Assistant for the current AIISP brand tools for any physical or visual materials.
- Please note that project summaries, video presentations, biographies, quotations, and the like may be used by AIISP in reports to donors and on the AIISP website for future funding promotional purposes.
AIIS Fellows Research Opportunity
Supported through a grant from the Reis Foundation, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program is proud to provide four (4) Fellowships at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level for students engaged in collaborative research projects in the natural or social sciences and the humanities with a substantial grounding in American Indian and Indigenous Studies.
Funding of up to $5,000 will be provided toward research programs with Indigenous collaborators, including demonstrated co-development of relevant analytic frameworks, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes are welcome.
Potential collaborative topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Historical or Archival Analysis
- Museum & Curatorial Work/Research/Design
- Indigenous Food Systems
- Indigenous Languages
- Environment & Sustainability Studies
Fellows Application Deadline
Application is currently open
Application Closes: April 18, 2025
For full eligibility criteria and submission requirements, please direct all inquiries to Professor Troy Richardson at aiisfellows [at] cornell.edu (aiisfellows[at]cornell[dot]edu).
Project by Peter Thais (Mohawk) '25 - 'Impacts of Dispossession on Indigenous Food Systems that Benefitted Land Grant Universities' ; Summer Research Symposium
Donor Funded Opportunities
AIISP offers student funding through the generosity of several donors who have provided aid to Indigenous students and their communities. Their commitment to enriching student experiences provides important means for growing new Indigenous leaders and strengthening the sovereignty of Indigenous nations.
The Frank Bonamie Enrichment Scholarship
This scholarship was founded by a local Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) businessman, Frank C. Bonamie, who was a leading figure in our program’s early history. It is designed to enhance undergraduate students’ education by funding activities and opportunities outside the classroom that invest in Indigenous leadership and nation building.
The Samuel and Barrett Scott Excellence Fund
This fund was inspired by Samuel Scott’s (Class of 2010) commitment to the Indigenous Cornell community and education. Donor Jason Kats (Class of 2010) seeks to support undergraduate student experiences and opportunities that center Indigenous knowledge systems and reciprocal and responsible research practices.
The David Strip ’77 PhD. 1978 Enrichment Fund
This fund is dedicated to supporting Indigenous undergraduate students from the American Southwest to maximize their Cornell experiences through social capital building and cultural literacy development.
The Mario St. George Boiardi Scholarship
This scholarship was founded in memory of George Boiardi, a Cornell lacrosse player who tragically died on the field in 2004. The scholarship honors his passion for learning and athletics by seeking to alleviate educational disparities by supporting Indigenous students’ enrichment activities.
The Baldwin Family Fund
This fund expresses its commitment to serving Indigenous youth by investing in Indigenous student education from high school through college. The donors seek to develop leadership and mentorship skills, as well as increase educational opportunities.
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