National Security Education Program David L. Boren Fellowships

(1) To provide the necessary resources, accountability and flexibility to meet the national security education needs of the United States, especially as such needs change over time; (2) To increase the quantity, diversity, and quality of the teachin

The Boren Fellowships program provides funding for U.S. graduate students to study abroad in areas that are critical to U.S. national security. Boren Scholarships focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are not emphasized in other study abroad programs. The Boren Scholarship provides up to $25,000 for 6-12 months of study abroad

The award for this program is made to a nonprofit organization that administers this assistance program on behalf of DoD. The award is typically a cooperative agreement to administer this CFDA program as well as CFDA # 12.550 (The Language Flagship Grants to Institutions of Higher Education) and CFDA # 12.551 (National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarships). The award is reported to USASpending.gov under CFDA 12.550, which has the most funding between the three programs.

Any U.S. citizen enrolled in an accredited public or private U.S. institution of higher education (defined in 20 U.S.C. 1001 of the Higher Education Act of 1965) is eligible to apply for a graduate fellowship. Students enrolled in Federal government schools are not eligible. All applicants must be: U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline Have earned an undergraduate degree At least 18 years of age or older at the time of the national application deadline Planning an overseas program in an overseas location outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand Planning to study in an overseas location of which they are not a citizen Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in a graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (For ROTC cadets and midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard) In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program In addition to these basic eligibility criteria, the Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred overseas location, and the applicant's field of study.

Fellowship awards are made to degree-seeking graduate-level U.S. citizens and provide funding for individuals to study a critical language and culture overseas during the course of their degree-seeking studies. All Boren Fellowship recipients agree to seek employment with the U.S. federal government, and serve for a period of time equal to the length of the award but no less than one year.

Boren Fellowship awards are made for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 24 months. All overseas study must be a minimum of 12 weeks, and preference will be given to applicants proposing overseas programs of 6 months or longer. However, applicants proposing overseas programs of 3-6 months, especially those in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are encouraged to apply.

The selection criteria is outlined in each announcement

Award decisions will be based on a competitive selection of proposals resulting from an independent merit review.

DLNSEO employs academic peer review for all fellowship applications.

Boren Fellowship recipients are eligible to apply for a Boren Scholarship if they subsequently enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education.