Boren Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
The Boren Scholarship funds the intensive study of language and culture abroad for U.S. undergraduate students who are planning for a career in public service. The program promotes long-term linguistic and cultural immersion, and encourages experiences that last two semesters or more, or 8+ weeks for STEM majors. After graduation, all Boren Scholars complete a one-year federal service requirement by working for one of many government agencies.
The Academic Fellowships Team is here to support you through all steps of the application process. If you are interested in connecting with us to learn more, please contact us at fellowships@brandeis.edu.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline.
- At least 18 years of age or older at the time of the national application deadline.
- Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
- Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen.
- Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate degree program located within the United States.
Application Timeline
Intent-to-Apply Deadline: December 1, 2022
Campus Deadline: January 10, 2023
National Deadline: Early February 2023
Award
- Maximum Award Amounts:
- 8-11 weeks: $8,000 for a summer program (STEM majors only)
- 12-24 weeks: $12,500
- 25-52 weeks: $25,000
- Non-Competitive Eligibility Status (NCE)
- NCE is a special status that facilitates their streamlined hiring into federal positions. This means that Boren award recipients can be directly hired by the federal government without competing against the general public or having to go through the same formal hiring process as other candidates.
- Support from the National Security Education Program (NESP) in your job search after graduation
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- Contact Academic Fellowships to set up a meeting to discuss the application process and strategy.
- Write an 800-word essay explaining the significance of your proposed country, region, and language to U.S. national security.
- Write an 800-word essay describing your preparation for long-term, immersive overseas study, and your motivation for and commitment to a career in public service.
- Write a 250-word study plan describing the basic structure of your proposed Boren-funded program, with particular focus on language acquisition, and your plans for language immersion in and beyond the classroom.
- Request 2-3 letters of reference from people who can speak to your academic, linguistic, and personal preparation for your overseas study or future career, or professional contacts from a job or internship relevant to your future career plans.
- Order official transcripts from the Registrar’s Office.
The Boren Scholarship gives preference to applicants who demonstrate the following qualities:
- A long-term interest in government service beyond the one-year federal service requirement.
- Those who have selected programs that focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country.
- Applicants proposing overseas programs that last at least 25 weeks, though a special exception to this rule exists for undergraduate STEM majors who may propose summer programs of 8+ weeks.
- Your Academic Fellowships Team: Meredith and Elizabeth are here to help you through each step of the process, from exploring the different application components, to choosing your recommendation letter writers, to providing feedback on your essays. Email fellowships@brandeis.edu to schedule a meeting with us!
- The Study Abroad Office: Staff from the Study Abroad office are here to help you select your program for the Boren Scholarship, create your study plan, and answer any questions about study abroad.
- Webinars and Presentations: Staff from the Boren Awards have put together a series of webinars reviewing eligibility criteria, writing compelling essays, special programs, and more.
- Boren Awards YouTube Channel: Check out webinars and videos made by past Boren Scholars.