Boren Graduate Fellowships
Website: Boren Awards
Description
Boren Awards provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. For a complete list of countries, visit https://www.borenawards.org/eligible-programs#countries.
Boren Fellows represent a variety of academic and professional disciplines, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages. For a complete list of languages, visit https://www.borenawards.org/eligible-programs#languages.
Boren Fellowships 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 projects, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. 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.
BOREN FELLOWSHIPS
Fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
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)
Boren Fellows have the option to apply for up to $12,000 for domestic summer intensive language courses. If requested, the maximum total combined domestic and overseas award amount is $30,000.
Eligibility
- 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.
- senior
- graduate
- US Citizen
Procedure
For application instructions for Boren Fellowships, visit https://www.borenawards.org/application-instructions-boren-fellowships.
- Access the Boren Fellowship application here.
Service Agreement
The NSEP Service Requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Federal Government in a position with national security responsibilities. The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or any element of the Intelligence Community are priority agencies. If an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, the award recipient must seek to fulfill the requirement in a position with national security responsibilities in any Federal department or agency. Approval of service outside of a priority agency is contingent upon satisfactory demonstration of a full and good faith effort in accordance with conditions established by NSEP. If an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in the Federal Government, the award recipient may petition NSEP to fulfill the requirement in an education position directly related to the language[s] or area[s] studied by the individual under NSEP support or to another language or area where the individual has demonstrated competency. The education option is available only after exhausting all opportunities to fulfill the requirement in the Federal Government in accordance with conditions established by NSEP.
The duration of the NSEP Service Requirement is one year or the duration of assistance provided under the program, whichever is longer.
Boren Fellows must begin fulfilling the service requirement within two years of graduation.
For more details and a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the NSEP Service Requirement, click here.
Contact Information
The Office of Fellowships & Awards in the Graduate School can assist graduate and professional students with general questions and application support. There is no campus review process.
UW Campus Contact
Michelle Drapek, Fellowships & Awards, Graduate School
206-543-7152
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
Institute of International Education
Telephone: 1-800-618-NSEP
; 1-800-618-NSEP FREE (6737)
Email: boren@iie.org