1. Boren awards International Programs Karen Wachsmuth, Ph.D.
International Fellowships Specialist

2. Deadlines Undergraduate students: Graduate students:
Must submit materials through Karen by TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH
Graduate students:
Campus Deadline: TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH
**If you would like your essay drafts reviewed, please submit to Karen at least 1 week before the deadline**

3. About Boren Awards
Provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students to study in areas critical to national security
Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East
Emphasize learning less commonly taught languages
Promote long-term linguistics and cultural immersion
Require 1 year of federal government service

4. National Security
Focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study critical to U.S. national security
Draw on broad definition of national security
Traditional national security concerns of protecting and promoting American well- being
Challenges of global society
Sustainable development
Environmental degradation
Global disease and hunger
Population growth and migration
Economic competitiveness

5. Eligibility U.S. citizen
Not graduating until after Boren funding period
Planning to study in eligible world region
Planning to study foreign language
**Boren Scholarship
Undergraduate at U.S. college
**Boren Fellowship
Matriculated in or applying to graduate program

6. Boren Scholarships
Maximum award amount: $20,000/year, $10,000/semester
STEM Initiative
$8,000 for summer study (minimum 8 weeks)
All other applicants must plan to study overseas for at least 1 semester
Paired with study abroad program
Identify programs with appropriate level of language instruction
Apply on time!

7. Boren Fellowships Maximum award amounts: $30,000/year
Domestic: $12,000
Develop a proposal
Overseas
Language study
Academic study
Graduate-level research
Academic internship
Domestic
Language study (summer before/after overseas study)
STEM (summer or academic year before/after overseas study)

8. Preference Length of study: 6-12 months overseas
Commitment to government service: applicants who demonstrate a desire for a career with the federal government

9. Preferred Fields of Study
Agricultural and food sciences
Engineering and sciences
Business and economics
Computer and information sciences
Foreign languages
Health and biomedical science
History
International affairs
Law, political science, and public policy
Social sciences

12. Fulfilling Service Requirement
Boren Scholarships
1 year
Begin within 3 years of graduation
Boren Fellowships
1 year or length of funding
Begin within 2 years of graduation
Priority areas
Department of Defense
Department of State
Department of Homeland Security
The Intelligence Community

13. Undergraduate application process
Boren Scholarship
Undergraduate application process

14. Undergraduate Application
Online application
Study abroad program selection
Budget
2 essays
Supplementary materials
2 recommendation letters
Transcript(s)
Study abroad program description
Language self-assessment
Language proficiency form (optional)

15. Online Application Basic info:
Current/permanent address
Education
GPA
Foreign language previously studied or learned (if any)
Years of study
Type of study
Previous experience abroad (if any)
How long?

16. Online Application Proposed study abroad programs Estimated cost
Country
Sponsor
Program
Language being studied
Estimated cost
Tuition, room/board
Airfare, books, insurance
Financial aid available?
List alternate program information

17. Essays Most important aspect of application
6,000 characters, not including spaces
About 1,000 words – 3 pages, single spaced

18. Essay 1
Explain the significance of your proposed study abroad experience (including region you selected, its culture, and the language you will study) to U.S. national security, broadly defined.
Describe how the country, language, and study abroad program you selected will help you achieve your career goals, including your plans to fulfill the federal service requirement.
Describe how skills you will gain during your Boren program of study, including linguistics and cultural competencies, as well as past academic, extracurricular, volunteer, internship, and professional experiences, will help you fulfill the federal service requirement. Be specific.

19. Essay 2
Study Abroad Program Description (both the preferred and alternate program): Describe the study abroad program’s course of study and related cultural activities, as well as the administrative and support services provided (i.e., facilities, housing, resident director, etc.).
Describe the language component in as much detail as possible, including the number of classroom contact hours and informal language study opportunities outside of the classroom.
Describe your past experience in studying or speaking the language (or another language if relevant), as well as your plans for continuing to study and/or speak the language following your Boren Scholarship.

20. Letters of Reference 2 required
3rd is optional
Original letters must be signed in an envelope with signature across seal
5.pdf

21. Supplemental Materials
Official transcripts from all universities attended
Language self-assessment
.pdf
Language proficiency form (optional)
tructions_124.pdf

22. Study Abroad Program Choose 1 of the following:
Study abroad program description with cost information
Individually arranged program must submit 2 letters of support

23. Frequently Asked Questions
If my proposed country, language, and/or field of study is not on the preferred list, should I still apply?
Yes, applications for these non-preferred studies are encouraged
Is a foreign language component required for all study abroad proposals?
Yes, the language you choose should be appropriate to the country in which you plan to study
Do I have to list an alternate study abroad program?
It’s optional, but could be useful if you are not accepted into your primary program or it is unavailable
May I be considered for a scholarship before I am accepted into a study abroad program?
Yes, if awarded a Boren Scholarship you would need to show evidence of acceptance into a program

24. Graduate application process
Boren Fellowship
Graduate application process

25. Graduate Application Every component is submitted ONLINE! 3 essays
Detailed budget
Transcripts
3 recommendations
Online language proficiency form (optional)
Letter of overseas affiliation (not required at time of application)

26. Essay 1
Explain the significance of your proposed study abroad experience (including region you selected, its culture, and the language you will study) to U.S. national security, broadly defined.
Describe how the country, language, and study abroad program you selected will help you achieve your career goals, including your plans to fulfill the federal service requirement.
Describe how skills you will gain during your Boren program of study, including linguistics and cultural competencies, as well as past academic, extracurricular, volunteer, internship, and professional experiences, will help you fulfill the federal service requirement. Be specific.

27. Essay 2
Describe your proposed study plan in detail. Boren Fellowships support language and other classroom study, overseas research, overseas academic internships, or any combination of these elements. Explain all significant features of your plan, including institutional or other affiliations, if known.

28. Essay 3
Describe your specific goals for language study, including the proficiency level you hope to attain and how you plan to develop your language skills to that level.
Describe your past experience in studying or speaking the language (or another language if relevant), as well as your plans for continuing to study and/or speak the language following your Boren Fellowship.

29. Reference Forms 3 online forms
If application includes research component:
1 letter must be from research advisor
If not enrolled in graduate school:
Strongly encouraged to have 1 letter from professor/advisor at future graduate program
How to gain strong letters of reference

30. Letter of Overseas Affiliation
Not required at time of application
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.

31. Letters of Reference
Give the person adequate time to complete the letter.  Referees who do not have ample time may neglect valuable details when writing the letter.
Explain what the Boren Scholarship is and why you have decided to apply. 
Visit potential referees during office hours to discuss the award.  If that’s not possible, set up a phone meeting.
Provide a resume or short biography along with the Boren Scholarship statement of purpose. This will give your referees a clearer picture of you and your goals.  Plus, they may have feedback or questions that can help you revise your statement of purpose. 
Send a friendly reminder about the competition to referees, if necessary, in order to ensure that letters are completed on time.
Present the signed, sealed, original reference letters to your campus representative.  If you don’t have a campus representative, send them directly to IIE. 

32. Resources Application Instructions
Boren Scholarships
Boren Awards
What makes a competitive application
Webinars
IP Boren Scholarships & Fellowships

33. Essay Writing | Monday, December 1 | 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Upcoming Workshop
Essay Writing | Monday, December 1 | 12:30-2:00 p.m.