by National Security Education Program (NSEP) / Institute of International Education (IIE) · Universities in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East (outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
💛 Up to $25,000🔴 Closed for 2024; Re-opening August 2024🎓 Undergraduate🌍 United States📌 Merit-based with mandatory service requirement
Up to $25,000 for 6-12 months; $12,500 for 12-24 weeks; $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM students only)
Duration
8 weeks to 12 months
Deadline
January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January)
Level
Undergraduate
Acceptance
Approximately 15% to 20%
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Aimed at u.s. undergraduates interested in federal careers and national security, Boren Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for study in United States. The award covers Provides substantial funding for international language immersion and cultural study in exchange for a commitment to work in the U.S. federal government for at least one year. and is open to undergraduate students studying less commonly taught languages (lctls), national security, international relations, stem, and social sciences. The scholarship runs for 8 weeks to 12 months. Eligibility is generally based on u.S. undergraduate students who are committed to public service and wish to study a critical language abroad in a region significant to U.S. national security. The application deadline is January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January), with an acceptance rate of approximately Approximately 15% to 20%. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for Boren Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
18%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
6/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Varies, generally competitive
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to $25,000 for 6-12 months; $12,500 for 12-24 weeks; $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM students only)
⏳
Duration
8 weeks to 12 months
📅
Deadline
January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January)
🔬
Fields
Less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), National Security, International Relations, STEM, and Social Sciences
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 300 per year
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
National Security Education Program (NSEP) / Institute of International Education (IIE)
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 15% to 20%
The Boren Scholarship is a unique fellowship for undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests. It requires a commitment to work for the federal government for one year after graduation.
👥 Who Should Apply
U.S. undergraduate students who are committed to public service and wish to study a critical language abroad in a region significant to U.S. national security.
🏛️ Host University
Universities in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East (outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand)
🤝 Sponsor
U.S. Department of Defense / National Security Education Program
🔬 Fields of Study
Less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), National Security, International Relations, STEM, and Social Sciences
✨ Key Benefits
Provides substantial funding for international language immersion and cultural study in exchange for a commitment to work in the U.S. federal government for at least one year.
🎯 Target Students
U.S. undergraduates interested in federal careers and national security
🏷 Tags
Study AbroadLanguage StudyFederal CareersNational SecuritySTEM Abroad
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies by year, typically between 1,500 and 2,000
Applicants Last Year
300
Winners
Approximately 15% to 20%
Acceptance Rate
Varies, generally competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
18%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes, included within the total award limit
Living Stipend
Yes, included within the total award limit
Total Award
Up to $25,000 for 6-12 months; $12,500 for 12-24 weeks; $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM students only)
✈️ Travel: Yes, included within the total award limit🏠 Accommodation: Yes, included within the total award limit💊 Health Insurance: Yes, students must use award funds or personal insurance to meet requirements🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, included within the total award limit
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, included within the total award limit
🏡 Accommodation
Yes, included within the total award limit
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, included within the total award limit
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, students must use award funds or personal insurance to meet requirements
🎁 Other Benefits
Special hiring authority for federal government jobs (Schedule A), professional development, and language certification
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
U.S. citizen at the time of application; Matriculated in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. institution; Planning to study in an eligible world region.
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate
📊 Minimum GPA
No official minimum, but 3.0 or higher is highly competitive
🗣️ English Requirement
Not applicable for U.S. citizens
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but leadership potential is a positive selection factor
💰 Financial Need
Considered during the selection process but not the primary factor
🎯 Target Students
U.S. undergraduates interested in federal careers and national security
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, two essays: Statement of Purpose and Program Argument
Rec Letters
Two to three letters of recommendation
Interview
Varies by home university (many campuses have internal review committees)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Two to three letters of recommendation Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Not applicable for U.S. citizens
Interview: Varies by home university (many campuses have internal review committees)
Min GPA: No official minimum, but 3.0 or higher is highly competitive
📋 Application Process
Align your study goals with U.S. national security interests, which Boren defines broadly to include environmental, economic, and health security.
💡 Insider Tip: Clearly explain how your chosen language and region will help you in your future career within the federal government.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Mid-August
⏰ Deadline
January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January)
🎤 Interview
Varies by home university (many campuses have internal review committees)
🎓 Study Starts
Varies (Programs must start between June 1 and March 1 of the following year)
Mid-August
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Varies by home university (many campuses have internal review committees)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Varies (Programs must start between June 1 and March 1 of the following year)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
National security relevance, commitment to federal service, academic achievement, and language study plan
⚡ Similar Scholarships
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Boren ScholarshipCurrent
United States
Up to $25,000
Undergraduate
—
🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇫🇷 🇿🇦 DeepMind Scholarship
United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France, South Africa
U.S. undergraduate students who are committed to public service and wish to study a critical language abroad in a region significant to U.S. national security.
This scholarship covers: Provides substantial funding for international language immersion and cultural study in exchange for a commitment to work in the U.S. federal government for at least one year.. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is January 29, 2025 (Annual, usually late January). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Varies, generally competitive. Acceptance rate: Approximately 15% to 20%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Not applicable for U.S. citizens, Two to three letters of recommendation recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.