The Boren Scholarship and Fellowship Programs

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships promote study of languages in geographic areas and fields of study that are considered of extreme importance to U.S. national security. They are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) to support students who will study abroad in specific areas of interest. Students should identify the contribution their program of study abroad, future academic and career goals will make in the interest of U.S. national security, broadly defined. "NSEP draws on a broad definition of natinal security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness."

GUIDELINES

U.S. citizens who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at a U.S. accredited institution can apply for a Boren Scholarship. The study abroad programs are usually pre-arranged and last either one full academic year or one semester. Longer periods of study abroad are recommended and preference is given to those seeking study abroad for at least six months. The maximum scholarship awards are $10,000 for a semester and $20,000 for a full academic year. Study abroad programs must be completed before graduation.

U.S. citizens who are enrolled or applying for enrollment to seek a graduate degree at a U.S. accredied institution can apply for a Boren Fellowship. The programs are most usually designed by the applicant and can include a variety of different components (ie. research, internships, language study). Fellowships have to be a minimum of one academic term and a maximum of twelve months overseas or twenty-four months of combined overseas and domestic study. The maximum fellowship award is $12,000 for a semester and $24,000 for a full academic year. Domestic only funding is limited to $12,000 and funding for combined overseas and domestic study cannot exceed $30,000. Study abroad programs must be completed before graduation.

There is a service requirement for all scholarship and fellowship award recepients. Upon graduation, scholars and fellows must commit to working in the federal government for a minimum of one year. A scholar or fellow may petition to fulfill the service requirement in education if no appropriate positions are available.

Please see the web site for further information.

Official Boren Web Site
http://www.borenawards.org/