Due Jan 20, 2027

Boren Fellowships

Direct application

Up to $25,000

Eligibility

Education level
Graduate

About this scholarship

U.S. graduate students may apply for Boren Fellowships to fund overseas language and area study in world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Awards provide up to $25,000 for 25 to 52 weeks abroad, with lower tiers for shorter programs. In exchange for funding, recipients commit to at least one year of federal government service after graduation.

Submit the national application by January 20. Boren Fellowships are an initiative of the National Security Education Program.

Essay questions

What else to submit

  • Two required essays addressing national-security relevance, language/overseas preparation, career goals, and federal service plans
  • Both essays should be single-spaced (recommended)
  • Essays must comply with the Executive Orders disclaimer: do not propose career goals related to prohibited topics (gender ideology, DEI, environmental justice)
  • Applicants should describe plans for continuing to study and/or speak the language following the Boren Fellowship
  • Applicants should summarize plans to fulfill the federal service requirement (commitment to work for the federal government for at least one year)
  • Recipients commit to at least one year of federal government service after graduation.
  • Essays must comply with the stated Executive Orders disclaimer.