Boren Fellowship
Offered by National Security Education Program (administered by IIE)
About This Scholarship
Boren Fellowships fund U.S. graduate students to study languages and world regions critical to U.S. national security, with immersive overseas programs in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The program is part of the National Security Education Program and is administered by the Institute of International Education.
Graduate fellows can receive up to $30,000, with the award amount scaling to the length of the overseas program — longer immersions receive more funding. Fellows design their own projects combining language study with academic or professional experience abroad, often integrating overseas research into their degree programs.
The defining feature of the Boren is its service commitment: in exchange for funding, fellows agree to work for the federal government for at least one year after graduation, with positions in the Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security and the intelligence community given priority. Applicants apply directly through the national online application; campus advisors can help but institutional endorsement is not required.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen
- Enrolled in (or applying to) an accredited U.S. graduate degree program
- Proposing study of a language and region critical to U.S. national security (Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded)
- Willing to commit to at least one year of federal service after graduation
How To Apply
- Start the online application at apply.iie.org/borenfellowship — the cycle is open now through the national deadline of January 20, 2027 at 5pm ET
- Submit essays on your proposed overseas program and its national security relevance, plus transcripts, letters, and a language self-assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Boren service requirement?
Fellows commit to working for the federal government for at least one year after graduation, seeking positions with national security responsibilities — the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and the intelligence community are priority agencies.