Boren

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Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.  The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.  For a complete list of languages, click here. For a power point overview of the program, click here.

Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security.  NSEP draws on a broad definition of national 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.

In exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement.​

Eligibility Requirements

Boren Scholarship  

Boren Scholarships are for undergraduate students. You are eligible to apply for the Boren Scholarship if you are:

• A U.S. citizen at the time of application
• A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
• Matriculated in an undergraduate degree program located within the United States accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Boren Scholars must remain matriculated in their undergraduate programs for the duration of the scholarship and may not graduate until the scholarship is complete. 
• Applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.  Boren Scholarships are not for study in the United States.

Boren Fellowship

Boren Fellowships are for graduate students. You are eligible to apply for a Boren Fellowship if you are:

• A U.S. citizen at the time of application
• Either matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program at a U.S. college or university located within the United States and accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Boren Fellows must remain matriculated in their graduate programs for the duration of the fellowship and may not graduate until the fellowship is complete.
• Planning an overseas program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.  Boren Fellowships are not for study in the United States.

Selection Criteria

Scholarship award recipients will be selected on the basis of merit with consideration for:

1. Boren Awards preferences:
1. commitment to government service;
2. preferred countries;​​
   
3. preferred languages;​​
   
4. preferred fields of study;
5. study abroad for a full academic year;​
   
2. A clear explanation of the relevance of the applicant’s country, language, and proposed program of study to U.S. national security, broadly defined;
3. Academic record and potential to succeed in the proposed program;
4. A serious commitment to develop and/or advance foreign language competency while overseas and upon return home;
5. Appropriateness, feasibility, and quality of the study abroad plan; and
6. Evidence of cultural adaptability, flexibility, and maturity required to succeed abroad.