Nationally competitive award

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships

3 source pages

The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language abroad by U.S. undergraduate and graduate students.

Deadline: January 27, 2027 (Boren Scholarships)
Award amount: Boren Scholarships: up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)
Boren Scholarships: up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Boren Scholarships: up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks
Boren Fellowships: $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Boren Fellowships: $25,000 for 25-52 weeks

Overview

Academic level

Citizenship

U.S. citizen

Eligibility

Must be at least 18 years old by the time the application is submitted
Must be a high school graduate or have earned a GED
Must be matriculated for the duration of the funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located in the U.S. and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Must plan an overseas program in a destination outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
Must plan to study in an overseas destination of which they are not a citizen
ROTC cadets/midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard must be in inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their funded program

Requirements

Funded overseas programs must contain at least 15-20 weekly language hours
Recipients commit to working for the U.S. federal government for at least one year

Application materials

Unofficial transcript from current institution and any institution where credit was received
Essay 1 (maximum 800 words)
Essay 2 (maximum 800 words for Scholarships, 1000 words for Fellowships)
Two letters of recommendation for Boren Scholarships (optional third)
Three letters of recommendation for Boren Fellowships
Language proficiency evaluation (optional)

Important dates

January 20, 2027 (Boren Fellowships)
Mid-to-late April: Selection notifications announced
June 2027 – March 1, 2028: Permissible start dates for 2027-28 Boren Awards-funded programs

Contact