The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference Tribal Nations Scholarship Program awards scholarships to enrolled tribal members to attend the 2026 Tourism Conference, Feb. 11-12, 2026 in Duluth.
The purpose of the scholarship program is to give Tribal members interested in tourism destination development and hospitality the opportunity to learn about the industry, develop their skills and network with industry professionals.
This scholarship is open to any member enrolled with one of the eleven (11) Tribal Nations who share geography with Minnesota.
Tribal Nations Scholarship recipient requirements:
- Scholarship recipients must attend a one-on-one virtual or in-person meeting with their assigned industry mentor at least one week prior to the conference start date.
- Scholarship recipients must meet their assigned mentor at the start of the conference and shadow them throughout the event.
- Scholarship recipients are required to attend the entire conference including all programming, meals and breaks as outlined in the official program.
Tribal Nations Scholarship recipients will receive:
- Complimentary conference registration, including all programming, breakfast, lunch and breaks
- Mileage reimbursement at the standard federal rate
- All other incidentals will be at their own expense
An industry mentor will be matched with each scholarship recipient to meet one-on-one prior to the conference and for the recipient to shadow on the day of the conference.
There is limited availability, and applications are subject to approval.
Timeline for Tribal Nations Scholarship program:
- Sep. 25, 2025: Application period opens
- Nov. 7, 2025: Application period ends
- Nov. 14, 2025: Applicants will be notified of their scholarship status
- Feb. 2 - Feb. 10, 2026: Scholarship recipients meet with assigned mentors via video or in person
- Feb. 11-12, 2026: Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
- March 6, 2026: Deadline to turn in mileage reimbursement forms for payment