Boren Awards: Funding for US Students to Study Abroad

The Boren Awards pay for US undergraduate and graduate students to study, carry out research and learn languages in regions that matter to US interests. The Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) funds the programme.

Funding for 2027-28 can be used for programmes that begin between June 2027 and 1 March 2028. Any programme you propose must include language study as a core part for the whole length of the grant.

• Host: Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO)
• Level: undergraduate and graduate study, research and language study
• Study destination: countries outside the U.S., excluding Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• Awards: up to $8,000, $12,500 or $25,000 depending on duration
• Deadlines: 27 January 2027 for the Boren Scholarship and 20 January 2027 for the Boren Fellowship, both at 5:00 p.m. ET
• Programmes must start between June 2027 and 1 March 2028

Organisations in any country outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand

You can propose studies, research and language study in preferred fields of study.

All Boren Awards-funded programs must include language study as a core element for the duration of the grant.

Not specified

Undergraduate and graduate students who are US citizens

The maximum award depends on how long you stay abroad. The amounts are up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only); up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks; and up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks.

All applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline
• A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
• At least 18 years of age or older by the time the application is submitted
• Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
• Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen
• Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• (For ROTC cadets and midshipmen and members of the military Reserves or National Guard) In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program

Beyond these basic criteria, the Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country, the applicant's field of study, and to applicants with longer-term interest in a federal career.

Boren Fellows have additional guidelines for self-designed research, internship, and study programs.

Boren Scholars and Fellows must remain matriculated in a degree program at a U.S. post-secondary institution for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program

You apply online. The Boren Scholarship deadline is 27 January 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and the Boren Fellowship deadline is 20 January 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Read the how to apply page and the official website (link below) for full details on how to apply.

This award suits US citizen students who are already enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at an accredited US institution and want to spend part of that programme abroad. Your plan needs a language component at its core, and the country you choose must sit outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and must not be your own country of citizenship.

It also fits students whose region, language and field line up with the programme's preferred lists, since those factors are weighed when applications are reviewed.

• Who can apply for the Boren Awards? US citizens who are high school graduates or hold a GED, are at least 18 by the time the application is submitted, and are matriculated in an accredited US undergraduate or graduate degree programme for the whole grant period.
• What does the award cover? Funding depends on duration: up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only), up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks, and up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks.
• Where can I study? In any country outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and not in a country where you are a citizen.
• When is the deadline? The Boren Scholarship closes 27 January 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET; the Boren Fellowship closes 20 January 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
• How do I apply? Apply online, and read the how to apply page and the official website for the full instructions.

• Read the official guidelines for your award type before you start writing, and note the extra rules that apply to Boren Fellows.
• Prepare your documents and referee details early so nothing is missing near the deadline.
• Check the language requirements and make sure language study is built into your programme plan for its whole length.
• Confirm your programme's start date falls between June 2027 and 1 March 2028.
• Give yourself time to explain why your chosen country, language and field fit the programme's preferences.