A semester or year abroad opens a window to the world of new experiences and sheds light on new options. International study brings fresh perspectives to international, political, and economic issues, interpersonal relationships, and career choices. NSEP was established by the National Security Education Act of 1991, which created the National Security Education Board, the National Security Education Program, and a trust fund in the U.S. Treasury to provide resources for scholarships, fellowships and grants. It focuses on geographical areas, languages and fields of study deemed critical to the U.S. national security.
Awards are for a minimum of one academic term.
For juniors and seniors, full academic-year programs are preferred and strongly encouraged. NSEP goals will be promoted most effectively if students experience cultural and linguistic immersion in the overseas program for at least one academic. All recipients of NSEP awards incur an obligation to enter into an agreement, in order of priority, to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities or to work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. Scholarship recipients are announced in late April or early May.