The Native American Prep Scholars Fund is now accepting applications.

Deadline to apply: March 21, 2025

See instructions below to apply.

The Native American Preparatory Scholars (NAPS) Fund was formally established as an endowed Field of Interest Fund in 2012 with the intention to increase the number of New Mexico Native American students who shall be prepared for, and graduate from college or university. The endowed fund was created from the remaining assets of the former Native American Preparatory School located in Rowe, NM, which served as a private boarding school for Native students from 1995-2002. 
  
The NAPS Fund focuses on Native student support programs at the secondary, pre-collegiate, and college level so that students will be far more likely to enroll in, and graduate from college/university.  
 
To accomplish this mission, the Foundation is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through our NAPS Fund.  Grants may support resources and programs necessary for Native students to prepare them for college, for mentorship and support services while they are in college, or resources and programs for Native students related to career readiness. 
 
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with the IRS (or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3)), federally recognized tribe in New Mexico, and/or an educational institution. Grants cannot be made to individuals. 

Grant Focus Areas

  • Programs that assist Native students with college acceptance.
  • Programs whose goal is to increase college matriculation of Native students.
  • Programs that support Native students for career readiness. 

Timeline

  • Application Opens: February 25, 2025
  • Application Deadline: 5 pm, March 21, 2025
  • Grants Announced: mid-May 2025
  • Grant year: June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 

Application Review Process

Applications will be evaluated in a two-step process involving NMF staff and a separate advisory committee of Native American community members and former Native American Preparatory School board members.

  1. Applications will be screened by NMF to determine whether the organization is in good standing and whether the application is complete.
  2. Applications that qualify will be evaluated by the advisory committee. Below are criteria that will be considered when determining a decision for funding: 
    1. Project is in alignment with the grant focus areas (listed above).
    2. Budget is related to project activities and outcomes. (How organizations will use NMF grant funds.)
    3. Overall strength of application.

To apply for a 2025 grant, click on the link below. Please note that you cannot save and come back to the online application. Fill out and save this word document first, then paste your responses in the online application using the link below. If you do not get a confirmation email after online submission, email [email protected] 

Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected]  

APPLY HERE!