The Boren Scholarship, administered by the Institute of International Education for the National Security Education Program, pays up to $25,000 for U.S. undergraduates to study less commonly taught languages in regions important to U.S. national security. In exchange, recipients agree to work in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. The 2027 deadline is January 27, 2027.
The details below come from the program’s own site, borenawards.org, including its eligibility and selection criteria pages.
Who is eligible for the Boren Scholarship
The Boren eligibility page sets these rules:
- Citizenship: you must be a U.S. citizen at the time of the national application deadline.
- Enrollment: you must be “matriculated in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program located within the United States,” at a school accredited by a body the U.S. Department of Education recognizes. Community college students qualify.
- Stay enrolled: you must remain enrolled for the length of the scholarship and “may not graduate until the scholarship is complete.”
- Destination: your program must be “outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.” Boren funds study in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
There is no minimum language level for most languages. The exceptions are French and Spanish, where intermediate-high (1+) proficiency is required for advanced study in Africa and Latin America.
What the award pays
The maximum depends on how long you study abroad:
| Length of study abroad | Maximum award | Who can propose it |
|---|---|---|
| 25 to 52 weeks | $25,000 | All eligible students (preferred length) |
| 12 to 24 weeks | $12,500 | All eligible students |
| 8 to 11 weeks (summer) | $8,000 | STEM majors only |
The standard minimum program length is 12 weeks. Only undergraduates whose majors are marked as STEM may propose summer programs of 8 weeks or longer. For the 2027-28 award, funded programs may start from June 2027 through March 1, 2028.
The program also runs the African Flagship Languages Initiative for study of French, Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof or Zulu in Africa.
The federal service requirement
“In exchange for funding, Boren Awards recipients commit to working in the federal government” in support of national security for at least one year after graduation. The selection criteria name the Departments of War, State and Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community, as the top-priority (Tier One) employers. This is the single biggest factor to weigh before you apply.
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How selection works
According to the Boren selection criteria, IIE organizes regional merit review panels of faculty and administrators from U.S. colleges. The panels make recommendations, and the federal sponsor, DLNSEO, makes the final decision. Reviewers ask five questions:
- Do you explain clearly why your destination matters, and how it relates to U.S. national security?
- Do you show a longer-term commitment to government service? “Preference will be given” to applicants who do.
- Are you serious about language study? Boren requires “a minimum of 15-20 contact hours per week.”
- Does your plan use a preferred destination, language, field and a duration of 25 weeks or more? Plans outside the preferences need a strong national security case.
- Do you have the academic preparation, adaptability and maturity to succeed abroad?
Deadlines and timeline
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| National deadline, Boren Scholarships | January 27, 2027 |
| Notification | Mid-to-late April 2027 |
| Eligible program start dates | June 2027 through March 1, 2028 |
Many colleges have a campus Boren advisor and an earlier internal review. Ask your study abroad or fellowships office for its date.
How to make a strong Boren application
- Choose from the preferred lists. Boren publishes preferred languages, from Arabic and Mandarin to Wolof and Ukrainian, and preferred destinations. Some destinations are marked as likely not approved for 2027 travel, so check before you build a plan around one.
- Go long if you can. Boren prefers more than 25 weeks for non-STEM majors, and the award is twice as large at that length.
- Make the national security link specific. Name the agency or kind of federal role you want and explain how your region and language serve it.
- Show the language hours. Pick a program that clearly meets 15 to 20 contact hours of language a week.
- Be honest about the service year. Reviewers favor long-term government interest, so write about it only if you mean it.
Similar programs to consider
If you receive a Pell Grant, the Gilman Scholarship funds study abroad with no federal service requirement. Students set on public service careers should also see the Truman Scholarship. Check Pell Grant eligibility and search more study abroad funding in our scholarship finder.
Boren Scholarship questions
Can I study in France or Spain with a Boren Scholarship?
No. Western Europe is always ineligible. French and Spanish are funded only for advanced study in Africa and Latin America.
Do I need to know the language already?
No, except for French and Spanish, which require intermediate-high proficiency.
Can community college students apply?
Yes. Students in an associate’s degree program at an accredited U.S. school are eligible.
When will I hear back?
Boren notifies selected applicants in mid-to-late April.