Deadline:
January 29, 2025
Location(s)
Brazil China Oman United Arab Emirates Worldwide
Overview
Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provides funding for study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
Details
START YOUR APPLICATION
STEP 1 - CREATE A NEW APPLICATION
Visit the Apply Now page to get started by selecting the country and language you want to study. You may change your selections at any time.
STEP 2 - GET INFORMED
Reach out to the Boren Awards campus representative at your institution. (You may still apply if your institution does not have one.) They will have lots of constructive advice for you.
-AND-
Watch our introductory webinar to learn the basics of the Boren Awards application.
-AND-
Review the official selection criteria.
STEP 3 - CHOOSE A PROGRAM
Apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative
Regional Flagship Language Initiatives offer Boren Scholars and Boren Fellows carefully-selected, credit-bearing language courses during the summer (domestic) and fall (overseas), with the option to continue overseas study into the spring:
- The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) for the study of French, Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof, or Zulu
- The Indonesian Flagship Language Initiative (IFLI) for the study of Indonesian
- The South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI) for the study of Hindi or Urdu
- The Turkish Flagship Language Initiative (TURFLI) for the study of Turkish
-OR-
Select/Design Your Own Study Program
STEP 4 - REFLECT ON PROFESSIONAL GOALS
The Boren Awards invest in linguistic and cultural knowledge for aspiring federal government employees. Understanding the national securityimplications of your study and the many career opportunities available to you is critical to a successful application.
Draft your essays as early as you can and share them with your recommenders.
STEP 5 - GET MORE SUPPORT
Your most important support will come from your campus representative. (You may still apply if you do not have one; ask new advisors to contact us if they want to be listed.)
Boren Awards staff will release new webinars on specific topics throughout the application cycle -- watch as many as you can!
If you have any questions specific to your application, contact us at boren@iie.org or call 1-800-618-NSEP (6737) during business hours (9 am to 5 pm Eastern).
STEP 6 - SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY THE NATIONAL DEADLINE
Boren Scholarships: JANUARY 31, 2024
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
All applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline
- A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
- At least 18 years of age or older at the time of the national application deadline
- Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
- Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen
- Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- (For ROTC cadets and midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard) In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program
In addition to these basic eligibility criteria, the Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country, and the applicant’s field of study.
A specific subset of Boren Scholarships applicants already enrolled in The Language Flagship may receive funding for their Capstone year abroad. They use the same application as other applicants.
Boren Scholarships applicants must be matriculated in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of application. They must remain matriculated in an undergraduate degree program for the duration of the scholarship and may not graduate until the scholarship is complete.
Dates
Deadline: January 29, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Maximum scholarship awards are:
- Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
- Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
- Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
