Boren Scholarships provide US citizen undergraduate students with resources and encouragement to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to future security of our nation, in exchange for their commitment to seek work in the federal government. The National Security Education Program (NSEP) awards Boren Undergraduate Scholarships to US undergraduates for study of world regions including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East, but excludes countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:
Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)
Webinars and application resources
Applicants must be US citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate degree programs. Boren scholars must remain matriculated in their undergraduate programs for the duration of the scholarship and may not graduate until the scholarship is complete.
The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship Application requires a university interview and endorsement. Please contact LeAnn Adam to discuss your interest in applying.
Timeline:
OSU Campus Deadline: January tbd, 2025 (optional)
Boren National Deadline: late January, 2025
Notification: April 2025
National and Global Scholarships Advising Staff
In exchange for funding, Boren Awards recipients commit to working in the U.S. federal government for at least one year after graduation. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a longer term commitment to government service.
What do you do in the Boren Undergraduate Scholarship?
The Boren Scholarship funds study abroad for students who are studying certain “critical languages.” This means that you will complete a “normal” study abroad program with funding from the Boren Scholarship. For example, this could include:
Study abroad programs arranged by your home institution, a consortium of colleges and universities, or another U.S. institution
Overseas programs with a robust language component arranged by an independent provider
Direct enrollment in a foreign university or independent language school
All Boren Awards-funded programs must include language study as a core element for the duration of the grant. Applicants are encouraged to select or design programs that will provide an immersive environment both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities in order to demonstrate their commitment to language study. Although such programs may include some coursework, unpaid internships, or volunteer opportunities conducted in English, the strongest applicants will make every effort to immerse themselves in language study. Language study should comprise the majority of overseas coursework. Beyond the classroom, language immersion may take place in university housing with local students, in homestays with local families, or through research or volunteering conducted in the local language.
The Boren Awards are administered by the National Security Education Program (NSEP). NSEP was created to develop a much-needed strategic partnership between the national security community and higher education, addressing the national need for experts in critical languages and regions. Students who accept Boren funding are expected to fulfill a minimum one year service requirement in the US government following the completion of their studies.
Boren 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.
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