Awards With Optional UNC Endorsement

You may apply independently for these and other non-endorsed awards listed on our website. ODS can provide assistance and feedback upon request.

Boren Awards | National Security Education Program

Open to undergraduates (scholarship) and those applying to or in graduate school (fellowship)

• Endorsement Application Deadline (optional: guarantees feedback and evaluation): Friday, December 22, 2023 (5:00 pm ET)
• Final Application Deadline for Graduate Fellowship: Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
• Final Application Deadline for Undergraduate Scholarship: Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a unique scholarship opportunity for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to gain knowledge of languages and cultures in areas of the world that are less frequently studied (including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East). All recipients of NSEP awards must attempt employment with a federal agency or office involved in national security affairs. Duration of study may be a summer, semester or a full academic year; maximum awards range from $8,000 to $20,000 for a full academic year. UNC endorsement is optional.