Boren Fellowship Grant

Boren Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Security Education Program
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: December 10, 2025

Summary

The Boren Fellowship, offered by the National Security Education Program, supports U.S. graduate students in studying critical languages and cultures in underrepresented regions. With awards up to $25,000, it encourages immersion in languages like Arabic and Chinese. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in accredited graduate programs. The initiative prioritizes programs that enhance national security through language proficiency and cultural understanding, fostering public service among its alumni.

Overview

Note: The Boren Fellowship national application deadline is indicated by the 'full proposal' deadline above. Contact your Boren campus representative for your on-campus deadline. LANGUAGE Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili. Boren Awards are available to students of all proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills. CULTURE 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. SERVICE 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. 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: $12,500 for 12-24 weeks $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)+ $5,000 for summer domestic language study (optional) The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. graduate students. All eligible applicants have the option to either Apply for a Regional Language InitiativeBoren Awards Regional Language Initiatives offer undergraduate Boren Scholars and graduate 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. In 2020, the Regional Language Initiatives include:The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) for the study of French, Portuguese, Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof, or ZuluThe Indonesian Flagship Language Initiative (IFLI) for the study of IndonesianThe South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI) for the study of Hindi or UrduNew in 2020! The Turkish Flagship Language Initiative (TURFLI) for the study of Turkish-OR-Select/Design Their Own Study Program Boren Fellows have additional guidelines for self-designed research, internship, and study programs. They are also eligible to receive funding for domestic summer language programs immediately prior to their overseas study.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All applicants must be:U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadlineA high school graduate, or have earned a GEDPlanning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New ZealandPlanning to study in a country of which they are not a citizenMatriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in a graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(For ROTC cadets and midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard) In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program

Ineligibility

The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (colored grey in the map here) are always ineligible for Boren Awards funding.