1. Program Overview

2. The Boren Awards are among several awards for undergraduate and graduate students administered by the Institute of International Education. One example is Project GO, a network of domestic and overseas programs designed to teach ROTC cadets and midshipmen critical languages. Many Project GO alumni also win Boren Awards to further invest in their language skills during a longer, more immersive overseas experience.
Many Boren Awards winners are also alumni of the State Department’s Gilman Scholarship Program for undergraduates, and alumni or future applicants to the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student and Scholar Programs. IIE administers these awards on behalf of the U.S. government, so we can help you find out more about them. Just ask!

3. What Are the Boren Awards?
David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991
Scholarships & Fellowships for:
Long-Term Study Abroad
Serious Language Study
Public Service
Self-Designed Programs -or- Regional Language Initiatives
The Boren Awards are named after then-Senator David Boren from the state of Oklahoma. The goal of the National Security Education Act of 1991 that he authored was to invest in language skills and cultural knowledge of less-commonly-studied countries, especially for staff of federal agencies working in the field of national security.
The Boren Awards comprise the undergraduate Boren Scholarships and the graduate Boren Fellowships. The Boren Awards are unique in their focus on long-term, language-focused study abroad, and on applicants’ commitment to public service.

4. Eligibility - All Programs
U.S. citizen
Planning to study a foreign language in an eligible world region
Matriculated at an accredited U.S. institution or applying to a graduate school
Non-citizen of destination country
Basic eligibility rules for the Boren Awards are fairly simple:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens by the application due date. Many of our grantees are naturalized citizens, and even native or heritage speakers of the languages they propose to study, so all U.S. citizen should be encouraged to apply.
Applicants must be planning to study a foreign language as a core and ongoing element of their time abroad. Programs in the following countries are ineligible: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the countries of Cold War-era “Western Europe.” Preferred countries are discussed later in this presentation.
Recipients of the Boren Scholarships or Fellowships must be matriculated (actively enrolled) in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution accredited in the United States for the entire time they are receiving the award. Applicants may apply for the Boren Fellowships while applying for graduate school, with the caveat that they will have to be enrolled by the time they start their Boren-funded program.
An applicant may not be a citizen of the country where he or she is applying to study
/eligible-programs

5. Focus on National Security
Addressing the challenges of a global society
We recognize a broad definition of national security;
You must make a specific, detailed, and focused argument
The Boren Awards essays have changed for However, the selection criteria have not changed. The next three slides cover the three principal criteria on which our selection panels rate and review applications.
The Boren Awards focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to U.S. national security. For this reason, applicants are required to explain how their proposed study plan will help them address issues of concern to the U.S. government.
We have a deliberately broad definition of national security -- anything that protects and promotes American wellbeing on the international stage. This includes but is not limited to: national defense, diplomacy, sustainable development, scientific cooperation, environmental issues, global health and food security, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
The Boren Awards recognize a broad definition of national security, but the applicant should make a specific, detailed, and focused argument relevant to his or her own academic interests and professional goals. The connection to U.S. national security must be stated explicitly.
/essays#national-security

6. Focus on Public Service
Commitment to one year in an internationally focused position
Preference given to applicants who demonstrate
a longer-term commitment to work in the federal government
The Boren Awards were designed to invest in talented linguists who are interested in applying their in-demand skills to careers in the federal government. While all Boren Awards alumni commit to at least one year in an internationally focused position with the federal government, we give strong preference to applicants who articulate stronger and longer-term commitment to that goal.
Applicants are advised to consider how the area(s) of national security policy that they describe in their essays are managed by various agencies of the federal government. (U.S. government agencies’ careers websites are a rich source of this information.) The strongest applicants show that they understand that national security policy issues are an interagency effort, and express an openness to pursuing multiple routes to a career with the federal government.
/essays#public-service

7. Focus on Language & Culture
Serious interest in language study before, during, and after Boren
Strong applicants set realistic expectations for proficiency gains
& select overseas programs to achieve those goals
Finally, the Boren Awards emphasize the long-term and immersive study of languages and cultures. All Boren Awards applications should have language study as a core and ongoing element of the program proposed for funding. Time spent studying the language may be curricular or extracurricular, in a classroom setting or with tutors, language partners, or host families. Many applications include all of those elements.
Whatever program an applicant selects should be appropriate to his or her level, and based on realistic goals for proficiency gains. Beginner and intermediate students should plan to spend much of their time abroad studying the fundamentals of the language; advanced or fluent students should seek opportunities to improve their subject-matter vocabulary, public speaking, and research skills.
Boren Awards are not only for language majors! We accept students at all proficiency levels in nearly all of the preferred languages*. Experienced students should highlight their achievements in language learning to-date. Beginners should explain what motivated them to begin the intensive study of a new language, as well as any prior success in studying other languages. We recognize that many of our preferred languages are not offered at many U.S. institutions. Beginners can and often do win Boren Awards!
Boren Awards fund the study of one language in one specific country.
* Only French (only preferred through AFLI) and Spanish (not preferred) have minimum initial proficiency requirements.
/eligible-programs#languages

8. What Does Boren Fund? BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS BOREN FELLOWSHIPS
Regional Language Initiative -OR-
Develop a Study Plan:
Language study
Academic study
Academic internship
Graduate-level research
Regional Language Initiative -OR-
Find a Study Abroad Program:
University study abroad
Third-party provider
Undergraduate and graduate applicants have the opportunity to either participate in a Boren Awards Regional Language Initiative, or to select or design their own programs that meet the criteria for duration and language-intensive study.
Boren Scholarships applicants are encouraged to contact their campus representatives as early as possible to discuss the language-intensive study abroad offerings at their institution that may be eligible for funding. Undergraduates may also choose programs offered by third parties, either by themselves or as a follow-on supplement to another study abroad program.
Boren Fellowships applicants must also select programs overseas that are language-intensive. Boren Fellows may choose to focus only on language study during their time abroad -- such an application would be considered equally competitive as long as it meets the other Boren Awards preferences for duration, destination, language, etc. However, graduate students are also encouraged to design programs that meet their academic and professional goals, incorporating any or all of the following: academic study in their subject-matter area; internships related to their field of study; and/or graduate-level research relevant to their degree. Conducting these activities in the target language helps applicants make the case that their proposed program is language intensive. Applicants are nevertheless advised to supplement their other activities with classroom study, tutoring, and extracurricular immersion.
/eligible-programs

9. Maximum Awards $20,000 / Year $10,000 / Semester
BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS
BOREN FELLOWSHIPS
$20,000 / Year
$10,000 / Semester
$8,000 / Summer (STEM)
$24,000 for 9-12 months
$20,000 for 6-9 months
$12,000 for 3-6 months
+ Up to $12,000 for domestic
This slide shows the funding levels for which Boren Scholars and Fellows are eligible.
Boren Scholars can receive a maximum of $20,000 for up to a year of overseas study. We define a year as more than 6 months of time in program. A semester is defined as 3-6 months of time in program. The summer option is only available to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) students, whose coursework often does not allow them to take time off during the academic year. Summer-only programs must be at least 8 weeks of time in program, and have a significant language study component. Regardless of major, the Boren Awards prefer study plans of over 6 months in duration.
Boren Fellows can receive a maximum of $24,000 for up to a year of overseas study and research. As with the Boren Scholarships, award ceilings are determined by time in program. Study plans of over 6 months are given equal preference; only the award ceiling is affected. Boren Fellows may also receive up to $12,000 for intensive domestic language study the summer before going overseas. However, the total award for foreign and domestic components may not exceed $30,000.
/eligible-programs#max-awards

10. Two Types of Eligible Programs
1.) Regional Language Initiatives
African Languages
Indonesian
South Asian Languages
Turkish
2.) Self-Designed Programs
The next section of this presentation explains the two types of programs that Boren Scholarships and Fellowships may fund.
Boren’s Regional Language Initiatives provide credit-bearing immersive programs in critical languages strongly desired by federal government agencies. These programs are appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in intensive language study. All Regional Language Initiatives require participation in the summer fan fall intensive language courses; all offer optional funding for self-designed research programs in the spring. All of the languages taught by these Initiatives (except for French) are appropriate for beginners and more advanced students.
Most Boren Awards applicants will elect to identify or design their own programs that meet our preferences for duration, language, country, and field of study. All of the languages and countries covered by the Regional Language Initiatives (except for French) also meet the preferences for self-designed programs.

11. Regional Language Initiatives -What’s covered
High-quality, for-credit programs in:
African Languages - French, Portuguese, Swahili + more
S. Asian Languages - Hindi & Urdu
Indonesian
Turkish (new in 2020!)
All tuition, lodging, food, insurance, and transportation costs covered
Not covered: passports, visas, vaccinations, non-homestay meals, dependents, personal travel and entertainment
Regional Language Initiatives cover nearly every program cost for participating students during both the mandatory summer domestic and fall overseas programs. Costs for the Boren-arranged summer and fall programs will be paid directly to the providers.
The following costs are not covered by the Boren Awards:
The cost of obtaining a passport and visa
The cost of vaccinations
Expenses for dependents
The cost of meals not provided by overseas homestay families (two per day on weekdays and three on weekends)
Personal travel expenses
Applicants must build their own budgets if they are participating in non-Boren-arranged fall programs (Africa only) or optional spring programs.
Please note that underestimating expenses will not make an application more competitive. Applicants should be as accurate as possible, as increases to award amounts are not guaranteed.
Please visit borenawards.org for more detailed budgetary guidelines for the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships.
/initiatives

12. Summer Domestic Program
African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI)
Languages
Summer Domestic Program
Fall Overseas Program
French* 
Senegal
Portuguese
Mozambique
Swahili
Tanzania
Akan/Twi
Wolof
Zulu
The following four slides describe special regional language initiatives for African languages, Indonesian, South Asian languages, and Turkish. We have created partnerships with providers to incentivize more students to study these languages. Unlike the general pool of applicants to the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, applicants to these initiatives only compete against the pool of applicants to the particular initiative. Both Boren Scholars and Boren Fellows may participate, but they must participate in all of the required semesters and may not deviate from the curriculum. Except where otherwise noted, regional language initiatives are appropriate for students at all levels of proficiency.
The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) provides instruction in six different languages spoken in sub-Saharan Africa: French, Portuguese, Swahili, Akan (or Twi), Wolof, or Zulu. For all six languages, students will begin with an intensive domestic summer language and culture course at the University of Florida taught by experienced instructors. In the fall, students of French, Portuguese, or Swahili must participate in overseas programs administered by the American Councils for International Education in Senegal, Mozambique, or Tanzania respectively. Students of Akan/Twi, Wolof, or Zulu must propose a fall overseas plan beginning no later than early September in Ghana, Senegal, or South Africa respectively.
All applicants are encouraged to request funding to stay overseas after the fall program is complete. These programs must include study of the same language, in the same country, but may also include other coursework, internships, or research. The Swahili program in Tanzania also offers the option to extend into the spring.
Please note that French is only a preferred Boren Awards language when studied through AFLI. Unlike other Boren Awards preferred languages, students must already have intermediate proficiency in the language before they begin the summer domestic program. This will be assessed via an oral proficiency interview.
/initiatives#AFLI
* French is a preferred language only under the African Flagship Languages Initiative

13. INDONESIAN Flagship Language Initiative (IFLI)
Summer Domestic Program
Fall Overseas Program in Indonesia
Spring Overseas Program (Optional)
The Indonesian Flagship Languages Initiative (IFLI) provides instruction in Bahasa Indonesia. Like AFLI and SAFLI, the Indonesian initiative includes mandatory summer domestic and fall overseas programs. Applicants are encouraged to request funding to stay overseas after the fall program is complete. These programs must include study of the Indonesian language in Indonesia, but may also include other coursework, internships, or research. The provider for the summer and fall programs will be added to this presentation and the Boren Awards website before the 2020 deadlines.
/initiatives#IFLI

14. South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI)
Summer Domestic Program
Fall Overseas Programs:
Hindi in India
Urdu in India
Spring Overseas Program (Optional)
The South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI) provides instruction in two different languages spoken in India: Hindi or Urdu. Students of either language will begin with an intensive domestic summer language and culture course taught by experienced instructors. In the fall, students participate in overseas programs administered must participate in overseas programs in India. The providers for the summer and fall programs will be added to this presentation and the Boren Awards website before the 2020 deadlines.
All applicants are encouraged to request funding to stay overseas after the fall program is complete. These programs must include study of the same language in India, but may also include other coursework, internships, or research.
/initiatives#SAFLI

15. Turkish Flagship Language Initiative (TURFLI)
NEW IN 2020!
Summer Domestic Program
Fall Overseas Program
Spring Overseas Program (Optional)
The Turkish Flagship Language Initiative (TURFLI) provides instruction in Turkish. Like IFLI, the Turkish initiative includes mandatory summer domestic and fall overseas programs. Applicants are encouraged to request funding to stay overseas after the fall program is complete. These programs must include study of the Turkish language in the same country, but may also include other coursework, internships, or research. The provider for the summer and fall programs will be added to this presentation and the Boren Awards website before the 2020 deadlines.
/initiatives#TURFLI

16. Building a Self-Designed Program Budget
One round-trip ticket compliant with the Fly America Act
All program tuition & materials
Overseas medical insurance
All lodging & food costs for time in country, including during program breaks
Local transportation
Not covered: passports, visas, vaccinations, dependents, personal travel/entertainment
The actual amount of an individual award is based on project costs and justifiable project-related expenses, which applicants will need to itemize in the overseas program budget section of the online application. The Boren Awards cover all of the expenses listed on this slide.
The following costs are not covered by the Boren Awards:
The cost of obtaining a passport and visa
The cost of vaccinations
Expenses for dependents
Personal travel expenses
Please note that underestimating expenses will not make an application more competitive. Applicants should be as accurate as possible, as increases to award amounts are not guaranteed.
Please visit borenawards.org for more detailed budgetary guidelines for the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships.
/eligible-programs#max-awards

17. Duration of Overseas Study
The next four slides describe Boren Awards program preferences for duration, country, language, and field of study. The strongest applicants meet all program preferences; doing so greatly increases the chances of winning the award. However, it is still possible to win the award without meeting all program preferences. Such applicants will need to articulate an especially strong national security argument and plan for federal service.
The first and most important preference is for long-term, immersive study. Preference is given to applicants planning to spend an academic year, defined as 6-12 months, overseas. Applicants proposing overseas programs of 3-6 months, especially those in the STEM fields, are also encouraged to apply.
/eligible-programs#max-awards
* Institute of International Education. (2018). "Duration of U.S. Study Abroad,
2005/06‐2016/17." Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange.

18. Country preferences /eligible-programs#countries
Another preference is for country of study. Applicants to any of the countries highlighted on this map meet the Boren Awards country preference. However, for the countries highlighted in blue (or marked with an asterisk on the website and program information sheets), we do not anticipate being able to send students to those countries in Applicants to those countries must include a viable alternate plan in another country appropriate to the immersive study of the same language. (For example: applicants to study Arabic in Egypt might choose Jordan or Morocco as their alternate destination; applicants to study Russian in Russia might choose Kazakhstan or Estonia.)
The Boren Awards fund study in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are not eligible for funding.
/eligible-programs#countries
*Applicants to blue-colored countries must specify a viable alternate plan in another appropriate country for the same language of study

19. Language Preferences /eligible-programs#languages Africa:
Af. Indigenous Languages
Akan/Twi
Amharic
Bambara
French*
Hausa
Lingala
Portuguese
Swahili
Wolof
Yoruba
Zulu
Eurasia:
Albanian
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Belarusian
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Czech
Georgian
Hungarian
Kazakh
Kyrgyz
Moldovan
Persian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Tajik
Turkmen
Ukrainian
Uzbek
East Asia:
Cambodian
Cantonese
Gan
Indonesian
Japanese
Javanese
Korean
Malay
Mandarin
Tagalog
Thai
Uighur
Vietnamese
Latin America:
Haitian
Middle East & North Africa:
Arabic (and dialects)
Hebrew
Kurdish
Turkish
South Asia:
Bengali
Hindi
Kanarese
Malayalam
Nepali
Pashto
Punjabi
Sinhala
Tamil
Telegu
Urdu
The Boren Awards also prefer the study of certain languages, listed here by region. Whenever possible, languages should be studied in countries where they are spoken by a large proportion of the population.
A few notes on the language preference:
All languages indigenous to preferred African countries are considered preferred languages. (There are too many to list individually.)
French is only a preferred language under the African Flagship Languages Initiative. Boren Scholars and Fellows must have at least intermediate proficiency in French before beginning the program.
Latin America only has two preferred languages: Haitian Creole and Portuguese. Applicants can and do win Boren Awards for the study of Spanish or indigenous languages, but they must articulate an especially strong national security argument and plan for federal service. Boren Scholars and Fellows must already have advanced proficiency in Spanish before beginning the program.
/eligible-programs#languages
* French is a preferred language only under the African Flagship Languages Initiative

20. Field of Study Preferences
STEM:
Agricultural & Food Sciences
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Computer & Info. Sciences
Cybersecurity
Engineering
Environmental Studies
Geology
Mathematics
Medical Sciences
Nursing
Physics
Public Health
Non-STEM:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Area Studies
Business
Criminal Justice
Economics
Geography
History
Int’l Affairs
Int’l Development
Languages
Law
Linguistics
Military Science
Political Science
Psychology
Public Admin.
Social Sciences
Social Work
Sociology
The Boren Awards have a preference for certain fields of study, but it is a broad category. This is the full list, divided according to whether they are eligible for summer-only undergraduate Boren Scholarships. Applicants should select the field of study that most accurately describes their major(s).
/eligible-programs#field-of-study

21. Federal Job Search Support & Resources
NSEP Service Team
NSEPnet.org
Boren Forum
Federal Employment Seminar
Resume Workshops
Special Hiring Authorities
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Upon completion of their Boren Scholarship or Fellowship and their degree program, Boren Awards alumni are expected to secure a job with the federal government. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to do so, but Boren Awards alumni are well-known throughout the federal government for their unique skills and have a number of advantages over other applicants to federal jobs:
A dedicated team at the National Security Education Program works with federal government agencies to create job openings available only to NSEP alumni who have not yet fulfilled their federal service requirement. These jobs are listed on the NSEPnet.org site, where only NSEP alumni are able to see them and apply.
The Boren Forum is a network of hundreds of alumni stretching back to the first awardees in 1994, many of whom hold mid- and high-level jobs with federal government agencies and contractors.
Returned Boren Scholars and Fellows are invited to an expenses-paid two-day Federal Employment Seminar that takes place each September in Washington, DC. The seminar includes resume workshops and a job fair attended by senior human resources staff from several federal agencies and contractors.
Boren Awards alumni are eligible for special hiring authorities that give them preferential consideration for federal jobs. (These authorities are usually referred to by the names Schedule A and NDAA ‘13. NSEP has a handbook to how they are used, and hosts frequent webinars for alumni on the subject.)
Once hired, federal employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to help them pay off undergraduate and graduate student loans.
/essays#job-search

22. The Intelligence Community
Priority Agencies
Department of
Defense
Department of
State
Department of
Homeland Security
The Intelligence Community
Boren Awards alumni may fulfill the service requirement with any job at one of four priority agencies:
The Department of Defense (including civilian and military positions -- including active duty, National Guard, or reserves)
The Department of State, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The Department of Homeland Security
The Intelligence Community (including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the intelligence branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as several other federal agencies)
Contract jobs paid by any of these agencies also fulfill the service requirement.
/essays#federal-careers

23. Other Agencies Employing Boren Alumni
Boren Awards alumni can and do fulfill their federal service requirement through jobs in other agencies as well, including the ones listed on this slide. Jobs in other agencies need to have national security ramifications in order to be eligible, but there are a wide variety of diplomatic, legal, economic, and scientific professions in the federal government that meet that standard. Volunteering with the Peace Corps can also fulfill the federal service requirement.
/essays#federal-careers

24. Information on Federal Government Careers
Department of Defense:
DOD Civilian Careers Overview:
STEM Careers & Internships:
U.S. Army Military & Civilian:
Department of
Homeland Security:
Department of State:
USAID: (navigate using sidebar)
Intelligence Community:
Overview + ODNI, NGA, NSA:
FBI:
CIA:
DIA:
The strongest applicants for the Boren Awards express a strong commitment to careers with the federal government. The best way for applicants to express this commitment is by researching the position descriptions and degree requirements for various government jobs. Their essays should detail how they are preparing themselves, professionally and academically, to be competitive applicants for these positions.
With so many different departments divided into so many agencies and bureaus, it can be difficult to narrow down career options. Fortunately, most federal government agencies have one or more websites directed to interested candidates who are not yet familiar with these opportunities. This slide has a list of websites in the priority agencies, and others can be found through simple web searches.
Applicants who have work and internship experience relevant to their future career plans should cite that in their application essays. They should also consider listing supervisors from those jobs as recommenders in order to provide a distinct perspective from academic recommendations.
/essays#federal-careers

25. Boren Awards for ROTC
The Boren Scholarships encourage participation by undergraduate ROTC cadets and midshipmen, who are strong candidates due to their commitment to national security and government service.
Just click on the
question that asks if the applicant is in ROTC.
Yes
Undergraduate ROTC cadets and midshipmen are encouraged to apply for Boren Scholarships to fund language study. While in program, they must receive approval from their commanders to be in inactive, non-drilling status (i.e. indistinguishable from other civilian students). ROTC cadets and midshipmen are strong applicants due to their commitment to national security and government service. Please encourage ROTC commanders with questions about the Boren Awards to contact or NSEP for more information on this Department of Defense-funded program.
/essays#public-service

26. Application Requirements
Essays
Letters of Recommendation
Transcript(s)
Study Plan Summary
Letter of Overseas Affiliation and/or Research Abstract & Methodology (for Boren Fellows, optional)
Both the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships applications include the components listed on this slide.
Essays: Both awards require two essays each. These are a critical component of the application, where applicants explain their national security argument, plan for public service, and language study goals. Detailed guidance on how to write competitive essays is available at BorenAwards.org/Essays.
Letters of Recommendation: Boren Scholarships applications require 2 letters of recommendation (plus an optional 3rd); Boren Fellowships require 3. Applicants to either award may also include an optional language proficiency assessment by a recommender. Students with experience studying their Boren Awards language are encouraged to do so.
Transcripts: Applicants to either award should attach transcripts for all of their collegiate-level study. These may be unofficial transcripts.
Study Plan Summary: All applicants have a maximum of 250 words to describe each segment of their proposed overseas program. This description should focus in particular on language acquisition. Applicants have the option to attach an information sheet from their program provider describing the structure of the program.
Letter of Overseas Affiliation and/or Research Abstract & Methodology: If electing to conduct research, internships, or non-language academic study, Boren Fellowships applicants are encouraged to attach letters from overseas host institutions for those activities. They may also include their research abstract if applicable, and should describe their methodology to confirm that such research will be feasible.
/essays

27. Essay Requirements Essay # 1: Essay # 2: National Security Argument
Preparation for Extended Overseas Study
Future Career & Connection to Government Service
All Boren Awards applications require two essays, where applicants address the principal selection criteria described earlier in this presentation. Extensive guidance on writing these essays is available at BorenAwards.org/Essays. We strongly advise applicants to answer the specific essay prompts. Including biographical details and other content not relevant to those prompts will hinder an otherwise strong application.
Essay #1 is where applicants describe the significance of their proposed overseas study to U.S. national security. As noted above, the Boren Awards accept a broad definition of national security. The national security-based justification for overseas study listed in this essay should be compatible with the applicant’s academic interests and professional goals, including the career plan described in Essay # 2. Essay # 1 is limited to 800 words for both Boren Scholarships and Fellowships applicants.
Essay # 2 is where applicants describe their career plans, with a specific focus on work for the federal government. Preference in selection for the Boren Awards will be given to applicants who demonstrate a longer-term commitment to government service. The specific career plans discussed in this essay are not binding -- alumni may fulfill their federal service in any of the ways described earlier in this presentation -- but career plans should demonstrate enthusiasm, openness to multiple paths to federal service, and a well-researched understanding of the options available to the applicant. Applicants are also encouraged to cite personal experiences that have prepared them for long-term overseas study and federal government careers. Essay # 2 is limited to 800 words for Boren Scholarships applicants, and 1000 words for Boren Fellowships applicants.
Extensive guidance is available at BorenAwards.org/Essays, including tips on how to frame academic interests in terms of U.S. national security and links to U.S. government websites that describe the hiring process and competencies for careers with myriad federal agencies.
/essays

28. Application deadlines
National deadlines are for study that will begin after June 1, 2020 or before March 1, 2021
BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS
February 5, 2020
BOREN FELLOWSHIPS
January 29, 2020
The Boren Awards have one application cycle per year. Applications for each award are due on the dates listed here at 5 pm EST. Boren Awards-funded study may begin as early as June 1 of the application year, or as late as March 1 of the following year. Once the program has started, the planned study should be continuous (allowing for short, infrequent, and pre-approved breaks).
/find-your-campus-representative

29. If you have questions at any time, please contact boren@iie
If you have questions at any time, please contact or call NSEP (6737) during east coast business hours. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional program information and tips. Visit our YouTube channel for brief overviews of the Boren Awards and the regional language initiatives, as well as videos produced by alumni about their time abroad. And sign up for webinars at borenawards.org, which give applicants the most detailed understanding of the selection process, components of the application, and keys to writing competitive essays.
/apply-now