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The CIRI Foundation
Traditional arts and cultural heritage
Competitive Endowments

Competitive Scholarships & Designated Endowments

These prestigious scholarships are made possible by visionary donors who established named endowments with The CIRI Foundation to support high-achieving Alaska Native scholars.

Competitive Award Tiers

Offered annually to full-time degree-seeking students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership, and community service.

Achievement Annual Scholarship

$10,000
3.0 Minimum GPA

Recognizes strong academic performance and community contribution for full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Annual Deadline: June 30
Up to 10 recipients annually

Excellence Annual Scholarship

$15,000
3.5 Minimum GPA

Recognizes exceptional academic achievement and community impact for full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Annual Deadline: June 30
Up to 2 recipients annually

Special Excellence Scholarship

$20,000
3.5 Minimum GPA

Recognizes the highest level of academic achievement and leadership for full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Annual Deadline: June 30
Up to 1 recipient annually

Award Evaluation & Payment Terms

Applications are evaluated based on your Statement of Purpose, academic transcript, demonstrated community service, and intent to contribute to Alaska Native communities.

Awards are paid in two installments. Recipients must maintain continuous full-time enrollment and minimum GPA requirements to receive their second disbursement.

Funding covers direct educational expenses (tuition, required books, fees) and living expenses if tuition is covered by other sources.

Designated Endowments

The 18 Named Endowment Funds

Browse donor-established funds supporting specialized fields of study across Alaska and nationwide.

Public Safety & Technology

Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson, Jr. Fund

Supports students pursuing education and training in law enforcement, public safety, justice, cybersecurity, homeland security, or related fields.

Established in 2022 in recognition of Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson, Jr., who served as Chief of Police in Anchorage and on the CIRI Board of Directors for nearly 30 years.

Fields of Study:

Law EnforcementPublic SafetyJusticeCybersecurityHomeland Security
Environment & Policy
Special Excellence Award

Margaret L. Brown Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing studies related to land use, conservation, environmental science, and education policy.

Fields of Study:

Land Use PolicyConservation EconomicsEnvironmental ScienceEducation Policy
Law & Justice

John N. Colberg Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing a professional degree in law.

Fields of Study:

LawJuris DoctorLegal Studies
Healthcare

Roy M. Huhndorf Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate major within the healthcare field.

Fields of Study:

NursingMedicinePublic HealthHealth Sciences
Indigenous Studies

Peter Kalifornsky Memorial Endowment Fund

Supports full-time students pursuing Alaska Native Studies and indigenous cultural heritage.

Fields of Study:

Alaska Native StudiesIndigenous LinguisticsCultural Anthropology
Business & Management
Special Excellence Award

Carl H. Marrs Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing business administration, finance, management, or similar fields.

Fields of Study:

Business AdministrationEconomicsFinanceOrganizational ManagementAccounting
Leadership & Business

Penny Carty Scholarship Fund

Supports Alaska Native women pursuing business-related education, executive leadership roles, or service on educational boards.

Fields of Study:

BusinessNonprofit LeadershipExecutive Management
Arts & Culture

Susie Qimmiqsak Bevins Endowment Fund

Supports Alaska Native students pursuing studies in the visual, performing, and literary arts.

Fields of Study:

Visual ArtsPerforming ArtsLiterary Arts
General Academic

Howard Keck / Westmin Ltd. Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports students with an approved TCF scholarship award across all degree programs.

Fields of Study:

All Academic Disciplines
Education & Humanities

Lawrence Matson Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing studies in language, education, social sciences, arts, communications, and law.

Two-thirds of yearly fund earnings support scholarships; one-third supports heritage project grants.

Fields of Study:

LanguageEducationSocial SciencesArtsCommunicationsLaw
Culinary, Engineering & Business

Kirby McDonald Education Endowment Scholarship Fund

Gives preference to students pursuing technical and professional fields in culinary arts, engineering, and business administration.

Fields of Study:

Culinary ArtsEngineeringBusiness Administration
Business Management

George Miller Jr. Management Leadership Endowment

Supports students, trainees, and interns focused on business management and executive leadership development.

Fields of Study:

Business ManagementLeadership Development
Public Policy & Government
Special Excellence Award

William D. Phillips Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing studies in public policy, government, public administration, and related fields.

Fields of Study:

GovernmentPublic PolicyPublic AdministrationPublic FinanceSocial Policy
Broadcasting & Communications

Cap Lathrop Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports undergraduate or graduate students pursuing telecommunications, broadcasting, or digital media careers in Alaska.

Fields of Study:

TelecommunicationsBroadcastingJournalismMedia
Degree & Vocational

Daniel Alex Scholarship Fund

Supports full-time students enrolled in degree, vocational, or certificate programs at accredited institutions.

Fields of Study:

All Degree and Vocational Programs
General Academic

Chester and Dorothy Mavis Cone Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports applicants with an approved TCF scholarship award.

Fields of Study:

All Academic Disciplines
Health & Wellness

Dr. Tamara Pickett Endowment Scholarship Fund

Supports programs focused on human and animal well-being, integrative medicine, behavioral health, and veterinary studies.

Fields of Study:

Holistic HealthComplementary MedicineTraditional MedicineVeterinary StudiesBehavioral Health
Law

Monroe E. Price J.D. Scholarship Fund

Supports students pursuing law school degrees and legal studies programs.

Fields of Study:

Juris DoctorLegal AdvocacyFederal Indian Law