National Security Education Program
Up to $25,000 for graduate-level students to fund research & study critical languages abroad
Who: 18+, US citizens, Graduate students at an accredited university, Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and in a country of which they are not a citizen, Meet program-specific requirements
Deadline: January 24, 2024
Boren Awards are given to graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a fellowship or study abroad in an area deemed “critical to U.S. interests”.
They are available to students of all proficiency levels (even absolute beginners, like I was!) who are committed to enhancing their skills in a wide variety of critical languages.
Boren Scholarships are for U.S. undergraduate students, while Boren Fellowships are for U.S. graduate students.
Applicants can win up to $25,000 depending on the length of their program and their field.
🤓 What can you study?
The following languages are the ones you can consider when thinking about applying:
🌎 Where can you study?
Boren Awards fund study in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are always ineligible for Boren Awards funding—because they speak English (mostly). So don't try it!
🌐 What programs are eligible?
Many types of programs may be eligible to receive Boren Awards funding, including:
- Study abroad programs arranged by your home institution, a consortium of colleges and universities, or another U.S. institution
- Overseas programs with a robust language component arranged by an independent provider
- Direct enrollment in a foreign university or independent language school
Graduate degree programs include Master’s, Juris doctor, or doctoral (PhD, MD, and others) programs.
🕵🏽♀️ What's the catch?
To put it plainly, the Boren Awards are an investment/loan because the U.S. government funds the scholarships (indirectly through the National Security Education Program, but still, technically).
In fact, here's the deal: they give you $30,000 to study abroad. Then, you work for the U.S. government in some capacity for a minimum of 1 year.
“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.” is the official wording.
💡My example: I won the Boren Scholarship in 2016. Through the scholarship. I studied abroad in Dubai, UAE and learned Arabic. After I came home and graduated, I worked for two different U.S. contractors as a Quality Engineer, Data Analyst, and Business Support. Over 2 years I racked up what counted as 1 year of service work for the U.S. government, and was relieved of my debt! I think it was a great deal because I got a year abroad and they helped set me up with a great-paying job just after graduation.
Meaning you could technically work in the Peace Corps, or as a National Park ranger too!
Did you know the Packs Light Application Tool-Kit was made with fellowships like this in mind? Grab your copy today for the insider resume and cover letter tips that will help you secure the position. 🤝
To apply for this job please visit www.borenawards.org.