Boren Scholarship
3-12 months of study of languages critical to U.S. National Security for undergraduate students.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen and willing to enter into a service agreement to work for the federal government in the national security arena for at least one year after graduation.
- Matriculated in an undergraduate degree program in the U. S. accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Remain matriculated in the undergraduate program for the duration of the scholarship and may not graduate until the scholarship is complete.
- Applying to participate in a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
- Planning to use the scholarship for study abroad. Boren Scholarships are NOT for study in the U.S.
About the Boren Scholarship
The Boren Scholarship provides funding to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars represent many academic fields but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages.
The Boren was established by the National Security Education Act of 1991, in honor of Senator David L. Boren of Oklahoma. The Scholarship is 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 including business, government, education, science and technology. The award is for a period of one semester or one academic year and includes $8,000 for a summer program (special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum), $12,500 for a semester, and $25,000 for a full academic year.
Amount Awarded
- $8,000 summer
- $12,500 semester
- $25,000 academic year
Application Process
As a first step in the Stanford campus process, fill out the Boren Awards Intent to Applyform.
For the Campus Deadline please complete the following steps:
- Email PDF of your online application to globalscholarships@stanford.edu
- Email Scholarship/Fellowship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver Form to globalscholarships@stanford.edu (will be provided to applicants)
- Note: Do NOT submit your online application through the Boren application system until after the campus committee evaluation process is complete. We will provide more information about this step later.
Application Sections
- Eligibility & Basic Information
- Personal & Contact Information
- Educational Background
- Transcript Upload
- Employment History
- Activities
- Study Abroad Program & Budget
- includes a one-page study abroad description
- Career Plans (>100 words)
- Essays
- National Security (800 words max)
- Motivation and Public Service (800 words max)
- Study Plan Summary (150 words)
- Career Plans (100 words)
- Language Self-Assessment
- Additional Information
- Employment History & Activities
- Recommendations: Two letters of recommendation to be submitted online by references (third letter optional)
- Language proficiency evaluation form (optional) to be submitted online by reference
Timeline Details
The Boren Scholarship has a campus process and requires a Stanford evaluation. Therefore, you need to be aware of two deadlines: a campus deadline and a national deadline. The campus deadline is in mid-January and the OGS will forward all applications for the national competition. We encourage you to begin your application early.
Campus Application Deadline
January 13, 2026
National Application Deadline
January 28, 2026
Additional Information
Other Special Opportunities for Boren Scholars:
African Languages Initiative (AFLI)
Find additional information on the Boren Scholarship, including application criteria, at the Boren Awards website.