Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Award Amounts
Maximum scholarship awards are:
- $8,000 for a summer program (special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum)
- $10,000 for a semester
- $20,000 for a 6 - 12 months
Length of Study
Boren Scholarships promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion, and therefore study abroad proposals for two or more semesters are strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to undergraduate applicants proposing a at least 6 months overseas. Boren-funded programs can begin no earlier than June 1. Summer-only programs must be eight (8) weeks or more and are limited to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students.
National Security
The program focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security.
Program Preferences
Boren Scholarships are awarded with preference for countries, languages, and fields of study critical to U.S. national security.
Government Service
In exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement.
Application Deadline
The Boren Scholarship national application deadline is February 8, 2018. The UIC application deadline is typically mid January. Please visit how to apply for more information on application process. Boren Scholarship applicants will be notified of their status by mid-late April.
