Boren Awards (Scholarships & Fellowships)
Offered by National Security Education Program (NSEP), administered by IIE
About This Scholarship
The Boren Awards fund U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests — think Mandarin in Taiwan, Arabic in Jordan, Swahili in Tanzania, or Portuguese in Brazil. The program is an initiative of the National Security Education Program and has funded language study abroad for more than three decades.
For the 2027-28 cycle, Boren Scholarships for undergraduates pay $25,000 for programs of 25 to 52 weeks (the preferred duration), $12,500 for 12 to 24 weeks, and $8,000 for 8 to 11 week summer programs open only to STEM majors. Boren Fellowships for graduate students pay $25,000 for 25 to 52 weeks or $12,500 for 12 to 24 weeks.
The trade-off is real and worth understanding before you apply: Boren recipients commit to working for the federal government in a national-security-related position for at least one year after graduation. For students interested in federal careers — State Department, Defense, intelligence community — that service requirement is a feature, not a bug.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen at the time of application
- Enrolled undergraduate (Scholarship) or graduate student (Fellowship) at a U.S. institution
- Planning study abroad focused on a less commonly taught language in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, or the Middle East
- Willing to fulfill a one-year federal government service requirement after graduation
How To Apply
- Create an account and apply directly through the online portal at borenawards.org (campus Boren advisors can review drafts but a campus endorsement is not required)
- Submit essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a language self-assessment by the national deadline
- Fellowship applicants: January 20, 2027; Scholarship applicants: January 27, 2027; awards announced mid-to-late April
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work for the government if I win a Boren Award?
Yes. Boren recipients agree to work in a national-security-related federal position for at least one year after graduation. The program provides job-search support through its NSEP service requirement office.
Can I apply without my campus advisor?
Yes. Applications go directly through the Boren online portal. Many campuses have Boren advisors and internal review deadlines that strengthen your application, but campus endorsement is not required.