Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. For a complete list of countries, click here.
Boren Fellows represent a variety of academic and professional disciplines, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages. For a complete list of languages, click here.
Boren Fellowships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their projects, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
Application Checklist:
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Submit the online application, which includes the following items. Before starting the online application, remember to read the application instructions.
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Three mandatory essays. For more information about developing a proposal for the Boren Fellowship, click here.
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A detailed budget section.
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Three online reference forms. Click here for advice about getting strong letters of reference.
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Optional online language proficiency form.
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Letter of overseas affiliation - If possible, applicants should upload a letter from an academic institution, research institute, non-governmental organization, and/or an individual who is aware that the applicant is planning study and/or research in that country and is willing to assist the applicant in coordinating his or her plans. Applicants should remember that the letter of affiliation is not required at the time of application, and the lack of this letter should not stop one from applying.
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Send required supplementary materials to IIE.
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Official, hard copy, transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate degrees earned or worked towards (including overseas institutions). IIE cannot confirm receipt of materials, so applicants should send materials using a traceable method to ensure delivery. It is best if applicants can collect and send all original and sealed transcripts in one packet.
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All online components must be submitted, and all original supplementary material must arrive at the below address, by the application deadline.
Boren Fellowships
Institute of International Education
1400 K Street NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
1-800-618-6737
Tuition,Travel,Other
Study must be carried out in a country with a diplomatic US presence. See here for further details:
http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/graduate/preferences.htm
NSEP Fellowship support may not be used for study of French or Spanish unless such language instruction is at an advanced level or combined with study of business, the applied sciences, or engineering.
Geographic Location
international, countries identified in the description
$12,000/semester for overseas study up to two semesters
Up to $12,000/semester for domestic study
Maximum level of support for a combined domestic and overseas program is $30,000 for 24 months