Competitive Scholarships
and Designated Endowments
These scholarships are made possible by donors who have established named endowments with The CIRI Foundation. Each fund reflects a commitment to supporting education and opportunity for Alaska Native students.
TCF offers competitive scholarships for full-time degree-seeking students that recognize academic achievement, leadership, and contributions to Alaska Native communities.
Achievement Annual Scholarship
Recognizes strong academic performance and community contribution.
- For full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Award: $10,000 (up to 10 recipients annually)
- Deadline: June 30
Excellence Annual Scholarship
Recognizes exceptional academic achievement and community impact.
- For full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- Award: $15,000 (up to 2 recipients annually)
- Deadline: June 30
Special Excellence Scholarship
Recognizes the highest level of academic achievement and leadership.
- For full-time students in a 4-year undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- Award: $20,000 (up to 1 recipient annually)
- Deadline: June 30
Award Terms
- Applications are evaluated based on purpose statement, community service, and intent to contribute to Alaska Native communities.
- Awards are paid in two installments. Students must maintain eligibility requirements to receive the second payment.
- Funding covers direct educational expenses and personal expenses if other costs are covered.
Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson, Jr. Fund
Public Safety, Justice, Cybersecurity
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.
- Field of study: Law enforcement, public safety, justice, cybersecurity, homeland security, or related fields
- Awarded annually, similar to other Foundation Achievement, Excellence, and CTE scholarship awards
Charles Anderson served as the Chief of Police in Anchorage and on the CIRI Board of Directors for nearly 30 years.
Margaret L. Brown Scholarship Fund
Environment, Conservation, Education Policy
Supports students pursuing studies related to land use, conservation, environmental science, and education policy.
- Field of study: Land use policy and planning, conservation economics, environmental science, education policy, or related fields
- Award level: Special Excellence award; if no qualified candidates, two Excellence awards may be issued
John N. Colberg Endowment Scholarship Fund
Law
Supports students pursuing a degree in law.
- Field of study: Law
Roy M. Huhndorf Endowment Scholarship Fund
Health
Supports students pursuing a major within the health field.
- Field of study: Health-related majors
Peter Kalifornsky Memorial Endowment Fund
Alaska Native Studies
Supports students pursuing Alaska Native Studies.
- Field of study: Alaska Native Studies
- Enrollment: Full-time enrollment required
Carl H. Marrs Scholarship Fund
Business, Finance, Management
Supports students pursuing business-related fields.
- Field of study: Business administration, economics, finance, organizational management, accounting, or similar fields
- Award level: Special Excellence award; if no qualified candidates, other award levels may be issued at the discretion of the Education Awards Committee
Penny Carty Scholarship Fund
Business, Leadership
Supports Native women pursuing business-related education and leadership roles.
- For Native women students studying business or a related field
- Also supports Native women serving, or intending to serve, on boards for organizations that support education
Susie Qimmiqsak Bevins Endowment Fund
Arts
Supports students pursuing studies in the visual, performing, and literary arts.
- Field of study: Visual arts, performing arts, or literary arts
Howard Keck/Westmin Ltd. Endowment Scholarship Fund
Supports students with an approved TCF scholarship award.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have an approved TCF award
- Named endowment selection is determined by the Education Awards Committee
Lawrence Matson Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund
Education, Arts, Social Sciences
Supports students pursuing studies in language, education, social sciences, arts, communications, and law.
- Field of study: Language, education, social sciences, arts, communications, and law
- Funding note: Two-thirds of yearly earnings support research or scholarships; one-third supports heritage project grants
Kirby McDonald Education Endowment Scholarship Fund
Culinary, Engineering, Business
Gives preference to students pursuing specific technical and professional fields.
- Field of study: Preference for culinary arts, engineering, and business administration
George Miller Jr. Management Leadership Endowment
Business Management
Supports students and trainees focused on business management and leadership development.
- For students enrolled in business management programs
- Also supports applicants with equivalent practical business management experience
- Also supports applicants accepted into a business management training or internship program
William D. Phillips Scholarship Fund
Public Policy, Government
Supports students pursuing studies in public policy, government, and related fields.
- Field of study: Government and public policy, public administration, public finance, social policy, education policy, or related fields determined by the Education Awards Committee
- Award level: Special Excellence award; if no qualified candidates, other award levels may be issued at the discretion of the Education Awards Committee
Cap Lathrop Endowment Scholarship Fund
Telecommunications, Broadcasting
Supports students pursuing telecommunications or broadcast studies.
- Program type: Undergraduate or graduate program
- Field of study: Telecommunications or broadcast studies
Daniel Alex Scholarship Fund
Supports full-time students enrolled in degree, vocational, or certificate programs at accredited institutions.
- Enrollment: Full-time enrollment required
- Program type: Degree-seeking, vocational, or certificate program
- Institution: Accredited institution required
Chester and Dorothy Mavis Cone Endowment Scholarship Fund
Supports applicants with an approved TCF scholarship award.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have an approved TCF award
Dr. Tamara Pickett Endowment Scholarship Fund
Health, Wellness, Veterinary
Supports programs focused on human and animal well-being and holistic approaches to health.
- Field of study: Human and animal well-being, complementary medicine, integration of traditional and western medicine, healthy living, behavioral health, veterinary studies, or related fields
Monroe E. Price J.D. Scholarship Fund
Law
Supports students pursuing law-related programs.
- Field of study: Law-related programs