Boren Fellowships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Fellowships provide up to $24,000 for overseas study. In addition, Boren Fellowships can provide limited funding for domestic language study that will supplement the overseas component. The maximum award for a combined overseas and domestic program is $30,000.
- Boren Fellows represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
- Preference is also given to students who will study abroad for longer periods of time, and who are highly motivated by the opportunity to work in the federal government.
- Boren Fellowship awards are made for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 24 months.
- Boren-funded programs can begin no earlier than June 1, 2016 and no later than March 1, 2017. Overseas programs may begin no later than March 1, 2017 and can be no longer than one year.
- Boren Fellowships promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion. Therefore, 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 application for the Boren Fellowship can be found here, due by January 28. If you are interested in learning more about Boren or any other Fellowship, contact Dr. Susan Boser from the Sociology department at sboser@iup.edu or call her at 724-357-1291.