A Journey Through the Boren Awards: Unlocking Global Opportunities
The Boren Awards stand as a prestigious opportunity for U.S. students who are committed to national service and interested in deepening their understanding of less commonly taught languages and world regions critical to U.S. interests. Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), these awards are designed to build a robust pipeline of language-proficient professionals ready to serve in national security roles. Through cultural immersion, language study, and government service, recipients of Boren Awards gain the skills necessary to address global challenges from a uniquely informed perspective.
Study Abroad in Critical Regions with Boren Awards
Unlike many traditional international study programs that focus on Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, the Boren Awards emphasize study in regions of strategic importance to the United States. These include Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East. The rationale behind this selection is to promote a deeper understanding of regions that are typically underrepresented in academic exchange programs but play a significant role in U.S. foreign relations, security strategy, and economic policy.
Boren Awards: National Security Through Language and Culture
The Boren Awards serve a national imperative by equipping U.S. students with the language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and global perspective essential for roles in diplomacy, intelligence, and defense. The program blends rigorous academic work with real-world experiences to support students interested in careers in government service. Administered by IIE on behalf of NSEP, the awards encourage the development of professionals who are capable of engaging constructively in regions of geopolitical significance.
Undergraduate and Graduate Pathways in Boren Awards
Undergraduate Boren Scholarship
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited U.S. undergraduate program
Focus:
- Study of less commonly taught languages (excluding English, French, German, and Spanish)
- Study abroad in approved regions aligned with U.S. strategic interests
Award Amounts:
- STEM Summer (8–11 weeks): Up to $8,000
- Semester (12–24 weeks): Up to $12,500
- Academic Year (25–52 weeks): Up to $25,000
Graduate Boren Fellowship
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizens enrolled in or applying to a graduate program at an accredited U.S. institution
Program Structure:
- Combination of domestic summer language study and extended overseas study in approved countries
Award Amounts:
- 12–24 weeks overseas: Up to $12,500
- 25–52 weeks overseas: Up to $25,000
- Summer domestic plus 25–52 weeks overseas: Up to $30,000
Boren Awards Application Timeline 2025–2026
Please note: All months listed are tentative and subject to change. Exact deadlines will be updated once officially announced.
- Graduate Fellowship Opens: August 2025 (tentative)
- Fellowship Deadline: January 2026 (to be announced)
- Undergraduate Scholarship Opens: August 2025 (tentative)
- Scholarship Deadline: January 2026 (to be announced)
- Award Announcements: Spring 2026 (tentative)
- Program Start: Summer or Fall 2026 depending on individual program design
Boren Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
The 2026–2027 Boren Scholarship application cycle has not yet opened. The application deadline for this cycle will be shared soon. To stay informed, applicants are encouraged to sign up for updates via the official Boren Awards website.
Boren Fellowships for Graduate Students
The 2026–2027 Boren Fellowship application cycle is also not yet open. The official application deadline will be updated in the coming months. Interested graduate students should monitor the Boren Awards website and subscribe to notifications.
If you are working on an application for another opportunity such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and plan to apply for Boren as well, you must click “Start New Application” from the Application Management page to begin a separate submission.
Step-by-Step Boren Awards Application Process
Timeline Overview
- August to October: Begin researching eligible languages, countries, and program preferences
- Fall: Draft personal statement and essays; seek faculty recommendations; obtain campus endorsement if required
- January: Submit application through the official Boren Awards online portal
- February to April: Participate in interviews (if required); wait for decision announcements
- May to June: Attend pre-departure briefings, apply for visa, and finalize travel logistics
Post-Award Obligations and Career Pathways
A defining feature of the Boren Awards is the one-year federal service requirement. After completing their academic program, recipients must work in a U.S. government position with national security relevance. Typical agencies include:
- Department of Defense
- Department of State
- Intelligence Community
Additionally, awardees benefit from:
- Career support via NSEP’s job board and alumni network
- Schedule A Hiring Authority, which provides special hiring eligibility for federal jobs
Language Flagship Initiatives and Support Programs
The Boren Awards support several specialized Flagship Language Initiatives:
- AFLI: African Flagship Languages Initiative
- IFLI: Indonesian Flagship Language Initiative
- SAFLI: South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (Hindi and Urdu)
- SEAFLI: Southeast Asian Flagship Language Initiative
- TURFLI: Turkish Flagship Language Initiative
These initiatives offer intensive summer language study in the U.S., followed by immersive overseas programs. Many also include homestays and structured cultural orientation components.
How to Create a Strong Boren Awards Application
To enhance the competitiveness of your Boren application:
- Align your career goals clearly with U.S. national security priorities
- Choose a less commonly taught language and commit to long-term proficiency
- Propose year-long overseas study if possible (favored for undergraduates)
- Highlight past experience in language study, cultural exchange, or international research
- Work closely with your campus Boren representative for feedback and endorsement
Boren Awards 2026 Deadlines and Funding at a Glance
Award Type | Opens | National Deadline | Award Range |
Undergraduate Scholarship | August 2025 (TBC) | January 2026 (TBC) | $8,000 to $25,000 |
Graduate Fellowship | August 2025 (TBC) | January 2026 (TBC) | $12,500 to $30,000 |
Conclusion
The Boren Awards are more than scholarships—they are strategic investments in America’s future. Through immersive study in critical regions, recipients develop the knowledge, skills, and language proficiency necessary for impactful public service. Whether you are pursuing a career in diplomacy, environmental science, cybersecurity, or global health, the Boren Awards provide the resources and direction to help you succeed while contributing meaningfully to national security.
Quick Summary
Feature | Details |
Program Name | Boren Awards for International Study |
Host Country / Region | Regions critical to U.S. national security (e.g., Africa, Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America) |
Funded By | National Security Education Program (NSEP), administered by IIE |
Duration | 8 weeks to 52 weeks |
Study Mode | Full-time, in-person overseas (with optional domestic language prep) |
Eligibility | U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited U.S. institutions |
Financial Support | Up to $30,000; covers tuition, travel, living expenses, health insurance, and research support |
Fields of Study | STEM, international relations, public health, political science, environmental science, cybersecurity, languages |
Application Deadline | January, 2026 (Graduate Fellowship); (Undergraduate Scholarship) |
Official Website |
References
- Institute of International Education. “Boren Awards for International Study.” Official Program Page. https://www.borenawards.org/
- Columbia University Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. “Boren Awards.” https://urf.columbia.edu/fellowship/boren-awards
The Boren Awards fund U.S. students to study less commonly taught languages abroad, enhancing national security expertise and global career opportunities.
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited institutions, focusing on national security-related fields and languages, are eligible to apply.
Eligible languages include Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and other critical languages. English, French, German, and Spanish are excluded.
Countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East qualify. Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Yes! Prior study abroad or language experience is beneficial but not required.
