Get to know the Boren Awards — it could be worth $20K!
Announcements | Oct 20, 2016 | Laura Besozzi
What are the Boren Awards?
The Boren Awards are scholarships and fellowships that provide winning students with up to $20,000 toward a study-abroad program. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply to this competitive program.
What programs can Boren Awards be applied toward?
A Boren Award can be applied to any study-abroad program in which the study of a country-appropriate or region-appropriate foreign language is integral to the academic experience.
The Boren program prioritizes applicants who are committed to government service and who are applying to study in countries that are critical to U.S. national security and underrepresented in study-abroad programs. Proposals to study abroad in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East may qualify.
The Boren committee seeks students who are willing to address global social challenges and who express an intention to pursue a career in the federal government are given preference. There is an important reason for this: In exchange for Boren Award funding, recipients must commit to working in the federal government for one year after graduation.
Who qualifies?
To qualify for a Boren scholarship, an individual must be a U.S. citizen who plans to study a language in an eligible region and who is currently enrolled as a full-time student at a U.S. college or university. To qualify for a Boren fellowship, an individual must be a U.S. citizen who is currently enrolled or applying to a graduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university.
How do I apply?
The Boren Award application consists of a description of your chosen study-abroad program, an outline of the program budget (which can be up to $10,000 for a one-semester program and $20,000 for a year-long program), two essays, letters of recommendation, and a language self-assessment. The application and deadlines can be found on the Boren Awards website and in the fellowships section of Fordham’s website.