R. Carlos Nakai Scholarship

“In America we are all an ancestral mélange of many different cultures all at once.” —R. Carlos Nakai

Any junior or senior undergraduate student at Northern Arizona University, with a declared minor in Ethnic Studies, is eligible to apply for the annual Nakai Scholarship.  Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to students demonstrating a clear career oriented interest in Ethnic Studies, Applied Indigenous Studies, or majoring in Anthropology.  If selected, the annual scholarship will be dispersed one-half for Fall semester and one-half for Spring semester.

Nine-time Grammy-nominated recording artist and double-gold album musician R. Carlos Nakai established the scholarship for undergraduates who are interested in multi-cultural activities, world music philosophies, and professional involvement in the world of fine arts. Nakai graduated from NAU in 1979 and went on to serve as a major force in popularizing Native American music among a wider audience. He has produced 40 albums and recorded with artists of various genres and cultures throughout the world.

Nakai’s music is deeply rooted in his ancestral heritage, and he is a strong advocate of preserving and sharing cultural traditions by collaborating through music. This scholarship supports multi-cultural engagement and exploration for future NAU graduates.

Click here to learn more and apply for this and other SBS scholarships.