The David L. Boren Awards, which include undergraduate Scholarships and graduate Fellowships, are funded by the National Security Education Program, which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. These awards provide American students with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for their commitment to seek work in the federal government.

The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Boren Scholars and Fellows may study abroad in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Click here to see the listing of emphasized countries.

Boren Scholars may receive up to $8,000 for a summer program, $10,000 for a semester or $20,000 for a year.

Boren Fellowships provide up to $24,000 for overseas study (or up to $30,000 for a combination of domestic and overseas study), for students applying to or currently enrolled in graduate school.

The Boren Awards are especially interested in applicants to the summer STEM program, the African Flagship Languages Initiative, the Boren-ROTC Initiative, the South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative, and programs that will last at least one summer and one semester.