Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

Description:

The Boren Scholarships, funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), offer unique opportunities for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad in world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. NSEP also encourages applications for study in other countries where a compelling argument can be made that an increased understanding and appreciation represents an important contibution to U.S. national security.  Boren Scholars study less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.

Service Requirement:  An award recipient must work in the federal government in a position with national security responsibilities for one year or the duration of assistance provided.  The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community are the priority agencies.  If, after making a full and good faith effort (according to rules established by NSEP), an award recipient demonstrates that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, she/he may work in any U.S. federal department or agency with national security responsibilities.

Eligibility:

A high school degree or GED is required, and applicants must be matriculated as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors in an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.  An applicant must apply to a study abroad experience that meets his/her home institution's standards and must complete this experience before graduation.     

Since NSEP encourages students to study in countries whose languages are less commonly taught at U.S. institutions, it is anticipated that many students will not be familiar with the language of their chosen country. Prior study of another language will serve as an indication of interest and aptitude.  Note:  Study of a common language (Spanish or French) is permissible only when it is at an advanced level of competency.  In such cases, the study abroad experience should not focus on language acquisition, but rather on academic course work.  However, NSEP will consider applications from students at the intermediate level of Spanish or French if their field of study is in applied sciences or engineering. 

At the time of application, determination of intermediate/advanced language level will be self-assessed.  Self-assessed competency levels of grant recipients will be verified with testing.

Award:

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