The Boren Awards, funded by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO), support US undergraduates.
Also, graduate students study, research, and learn languages in regions that serve the US interests.
In this article, you’ll learn about the eligibility, rewards, and deadlines of the Boren Scholarship.
– Ensure to apply early.
- Scholarship Deadline: January 24/31, 2024 (annual)
- Countries of Study: Countries outside the U.S.
- Course starts: 2024/2025
Host Institution(s):
- Organizations in any country outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Level/Field(s) of Study:
- Studies, research, and language learning in preferred fields.
- Number of Scholarships:
Not specified.
Target Group:
- US undergraduate and graduate students.
Scholarship Value/Inclusions:
Award amounts vary based on the duration abroad:
- Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)
- Up to $12,000 for domestic language study
- Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
- Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Boren Awards, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen when you apply
- Have finished high school or got a GED
- Be at least 18 years old when you apply
- Plan to study in a country outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
- Plan to study in a country where you’re not a citizen
- Be enrolled in a U.S. undergraduate or graduate program that’s accredited by the U.S. Department of Education during your Boren Awards program
- (For ROTC cadets, midshipmen, and military Reserves or National Guard) Be in an inactive status during the program
- Preference is given to longer programs, intensive language study in preferred countries, and your field of study.
Application Instructions:
- Apply online by January 31, 2024, for the Boren Scholarship, and by January 24, 2024, for the Boren Fellowship. Visit the official website for detailed application instructions.
- Website:Official Scholarship Website
Boren Awards Preferred Languages:
African Languages
- Akan/Twi
- Amharic
- Bambara
- Gan
- Hausa
- Lingala
- Malay
- Swahili
- Wolof
- Yoruba
- Zulu and other languages.
Conclusion
For the Boren Awards, they don’t ask for a minimum level of language skills for most languages.
They understand that many colleges and universities don’t offer courses in the preferred languages listed on the program.
There’s also no highest level of language skills for the Boren Awards.
Many students start their Boren Awards-funded study already knowing a lot.
Whatever their level, applicants should pick language programs that match what they know and aim to get better.