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Boren Awards are an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).

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Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili. Boren Awards are available to students of all proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills.

Boren Scholars and Fellows from diverse fields of study immerse themselves in the cultures in world regions underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Boren Awards alumni are committed to public service, working in positions critical to U.S. national security throughout the Federal Government, including the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, and USAID.

## Programs

### BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS

Fund study abroad by **U.S. undergraduate students** in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:

$25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)

$12,500 for 12-24 weeks

$8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

### 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:

$25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)

$12,500 for 12-24 weeks

+ $5,000 for summer domestic language study (optional)

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### START YOUR APPLICATION

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## STEP 1 - CREATE A NEW APPLICATION

Visit the Apply Now page to get started by selecting the overseas location and language you want to study. You may change your selections at any time.

## STEP 2 - GET INFORMED

Reach out to the Boren Awards campus representative at your institution. (You may still apply if your institution does not have one.) They will have lots of constructive advice for you.

-AND-

Watch our introductory webinar to learn the basics of the Boren Awards application.

-AND-

Review the official selection criteria.

## STEP 3 - CHOOSE A PROGRAM

**Apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative**

**Regional Flagship Language Initiatives** offer Boren Scholars and Boren Fellows carefully-selected, credit-bearing language courses during the summer (domestic) and fall (overseas), with the option to continue overseas study into the spring:
                            - The  African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI)  for the study of  French ,  Swahili ,  Akan/Twi ,  Wolof , or  Zulu
                            - The  Southeast Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SEAFLI)  for the study of  Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese

****-OR-

**Select/Design Your Own Study Program**

## STEP 4 - REFLECT ON PROFESSIONAL GOALS

The Boren Awards invest in linguistic and cultural knowledge for aspiring federal government employees. Understanding the national security implications of your study and the many career opportunities available to you is critical to a successful application.

Draft your essays as early as you can and share them with your recommenders.

For more information on the one-year federal service requirement, check out the federal careers section here. You can also see a webinar on the Service Agreement here.

## STEP 5 - GET MORE SUPPORT

Your most important support will come from your campus representative. (You may still apply if you do not have one; ask new advisors to contact us if they want to be listed.)

Boren Awards staff will release new webinars on specific topics throughout the application cycle -- watch as many as you can!

If you have any questions specific to your application, contact us at boren@iie.org or call 1-800-618-6737 ext. 1 during business hours (9 am to 5 pm Eastern).

## STEP 6 - SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY THE NATIONAL DEADLINE

The **national deadlines** for the 2025 Boren Awards are:

**Boren Fellowships:** January 22, 2025

**Boren Scholarships:** January 29, 2025

2025-26 Boren Awards funding may be applied to programs starting as early as June 1, 2025 or as late as March 1, 2026.

Your campus representative may also set a campus deadline to provide support and feedback -- please check to see if there is one and **respect it!**

**Applicants will be notified if they have been selected in mid-to-late April**

## Find Your Campus Representative

Search Now

## Boren Profiles

## Sophia De La Cruz

                          - Read more about Sophia De La Cruz

## Chris Bekavac

                          - Read more about Chris Bekavac

See All Boren Profiles

WASHINGTON, DC800-618-6737 ext. 1 - BOREN@IIE.ORG

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2024 NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION PROGRAM

**DEADLINES**: BOREN FELLOWSHIPS: **JANUARY 22, 2025** | BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS: **JANUARY 29,****2025**APPLICATION IS OPEN!