Boren Scholarship Program (formerly known as NSEP) was established by the National Security Education Act of 1991, which provides resources for scholarships, fellowships, and grants. The Boren Undergraduate Scholarships offered through NSEP are designed to help prepare American students to enter professional life with more than a traditional knowledge of a foreign language and culture; acquire cross-cultural understanding and a global outlook; and enhance career and leadership opportunities in all fields-business, government, education, science and technology. There are also Boren Graduate Fellowships available to graduate students. (See the ORC webpage for details.)

The Award

The term of the Boren Undergraduate Scholarship is up to one academic year (longer programs are preferred). The amount of this award will vary, but the maximum scholarship award will not exceed $10,000/semester or $20,000/academic year.

Eligibility

As a U.S. undergraduate student, you are eligible to apply if you meet the following conditions:

U.S. citizenship at the time of application
Matriculated as a frosh, sophomore, junior, or senior in a U.S. post-secondary institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Applying to participate in a study abroad program that meets home institution standards
Planning to use the scholarship for study abroad. NSEP Undergraduate awards are NOT for study in the U.S.

New African Language Initiative

This pilot initiative will provide the opportunity for scholars to enhance their Boren Scholarship with additional language study in the United States and overseas. Beginning summer 2011, Fellows can enroll in domestic university-based summer intensive courses in the targeted languages. Applicants with prior exposure to these languges who can demonstrate proficiency or novice-high or above levels are encouraged to apply. The summer U.S. programs will be followed by intensive language and culture study programs during the fall semester at specific language centers in Mali (Bambara), Tanzania (Swahili), Nigeria (Yoruba), and South Africa (Zulu).

Outline of Boren NSEP Requirements

U.S. National Security Focus: Boren (NSEP) focuses on geographical areas, languages and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security.
International Focus: Boren Scholarships can be applied to study abroad in countries outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Academic Focus: Must demonstrate an interest in undertaking serious study in foreign countries as a complement to U.S. academic and career goals. This should be reflected in the Statement of Purpose.
Language Study: Appropriate and integrated study of a foreign language is required for all study abroad proposals.
Length of Stay: Awards are for a minimum of one academic term. For juniors and seniors, full academic year programs are preferred and strongly encouraged.
Service Agreement: All Boren Scholarship recipients shall incur a service obligation equal to the amount of time of the scholarship term. Students incurring such obligation will be required to provide service in the federal government or the field of education.

Options for Study Abroad

U.S. College/University Study Abroad Program: Open to all applicants, freshman through senior
U.S. College/University Consortium Study Abroad Program: Open to all applicants, freshman through senior
Private Organization Study Abroad Program: Open to all applicants, freshman through senior
Direct Admission to a Foreign University Program: Option available only to juniors and seniors
Individually Arranged Supervised Study Program: Option available only to juniors and seniors.

Stanford Undergraduates and State Department Travel Warnings

Stanford Undergraduates face particular challenges in wishing to use the Boren Scholarship to study in countries where the U.S. Department of State has a Travel Warning. You can find information on which countries have travel warnings here.

Stanford currently has a policy, similar to many other institutions, that prohibits the use of university funds to support undergraduates in countries with travel warnings. This policy can be found here.

Additionally, Boren requires an institutionally signed form for any applicant applying to country with a Travel Warning. This form has to be submitted after an award is made. Stanford is not prepared to sign such a form. This means that undergraduates should not apply for a Boren to study in a country with a Travel Warning issued by the State Department. If you have such an interest, please talk to an advisor in the ORC so we can help you think about other programs.

The Application

Stanford students must apply through the Overseas Resource Center. If you are interested in applying for the Boren Undergraduate Scholarship, further information and advising are available at the ORC. We can assist you on the following aspects of your application:

Review of your written materials
Identification of suitable programs of study overseas
General guidance of the purpose of the scholarship
Information on the service requirement

Please see the Boren Scholarship home page for this year's application.

For the Campus Deadline you must do the following:

Submit your online application
Submit 3 paper copies of your application to the ORC

You are also responsible for making sure your official transcripts and 2-3 letters of recommendation arrive at the ORC by the Campus Deadline.

You will be asked to attest that you have read some background information on the origins and purpose of the Boren.

A campus level evaluation will be conducted following the campus deadline. Stanford faculty and staff members from various departments will form the campus committee. Following the campus level evaluation, applications will then be forwarded to the national selection committee by the national deadline.

Scholarship award recipients will be notified in early May.

The staff of the Overseas Resource Center is readily available to help you with your application. If you need assistance in defining your proposal or simply want someone to read over your completed application, please come by the ORC.

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