Boren Awards

The Boren Awards are sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).The Boren Awards provide funding for U.S. undergraduate (Boren Scholars) and graduate (Boren Fellows) students to acquire language skills and experiences through studying less commonly taught languages in world regions underrepresented in study abroad that are critical to the future security and stability of the United States. Boren Awards require rigorous language study and most recipients study overseas for 6 months or longer, though some go for a semester. A limited number of undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields may be funded for summer programs of at least 8 weeks..

Boren Scholarship applicants must be a matriculated undergraduate student in an accredited U.S. institution. Boren Fellowship applicants must be matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program in an accredited U.S. institution. All Boren applicants must be able to complete Boren-funded programs before graduation, must plan to study in an eligible world region, and they must be a U.S. citizen. Preference is given to applicants who have a desire to work in the federal government, propose countries, languages, and fields of study critical to U.S. national security, and propose long-term study abroad. Boren Award applications must include study of a foreign language appropriate to the proposed country or region, incorporating opportunities to advance language proficiency both inside and outside the classroom

In exchange for financial support, Boren Scholars and Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. It is the responsibility of the award recipient to secure federal employment.