Deadline: January 22, 2025
Location(s)
Afghanistan Chile Gabon Honduras Libya Malaysia Mauritius Pakistan Peru Sudan Turkey Worldwide
Overview
Boren Fellowships fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
Details
Boren Awards Regional Flagship Language Initiatives offer graduate 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. In 2022, the Regional Flagship Language Initiatives include:
- 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
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 Fellowships deadline January 22, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST.
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.
Boren Fellows have additional guidelines for self-designed research, internship, and study programs. They are also eligible to receive funding for domestic summer language programs immediately prior to their overseas study.
Dates
Deadline: January 22, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Award amounts
Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:
- Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
- Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
- + Up to $12,000 for domestic language study (optional)
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.