The application for the 2018 Boren Awards is now open at www.borenawards.org!

Boren Awards fund U.S. undergraduate and graduate language study and research abroad in world regions critical to U.S. national interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East). All applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.

The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) offers Boren Awards applicants a special opportunity to study African languages and cultures by participating in domestic and overseas language programs in Akan/Twi, French, Portuguese, Swahili, Wolof or Zulu.

Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 for undergraduate students for language-focused study abroad. Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 for graduate students to fund language study, graduate-level research and academic internships abroad.

Federal service is the cornerstone of the Boren Awards program: recipients of a Boren Scholarship or Fellowship accept a service requirement to work for the federal government in the national security arena. Award recipients are not, however, guaranteed a federal job after graduation — they must secure a position themselves. See FAQs about the service requirement.

Additional information on AFLI program requirements, program locations and a complete list of preferred languages can be found on the Boren website. Webinars on aspects of the Boren Awards, including special regional initiatives and components of the application are scheduled throughout the 2017-2018 academic year. Check webinar dates and sign up here.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their Boren Awards campus representatives, listed in a directory on the website, for institution-specific guidance. They may also contact Boren Awards staff directly at 1.800.618.NSEP or boren@iie.org.