Boren Undergraduate Scholarship

Boren Scholarships promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion, and therefore study abroad proposals for two or more semesters are strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to undergraduate applicants proposing a full-year academic study. Boren-funded programs can begin no earlier than June 1.

The program focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

From the Boren website: 

"Boren Scholarships are awarded with preference for countries, languages, and fields of study critical to U.S. national security. Preference is also given to students who will study abroad for longer periods of time, and who are highly motivated by the opportunity to work in the federal government.

As we cannot list all countries, languages, and fields that are critical to U.S. national security, we are interested in applications that fall outside the preferences, if the candidate can make a compelling case that such study can contribute significantly to U.S. national security and the goals of the program."

In exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement.

By the end of the day on January 12, email the following to Amanda Roshan-Rawaan, study abroad adviser, amarosha@iu.edu:

• Draft essay responses to the two required essays (max. 800 words each) (very rough drafts are not recommended; the on-campus interview process will benefit students the most if the reviewers can respond to a cohesive and complete set of responses)
• Draft study plan summary (max. 250 words)
• Names and titles of at least two recommenders (optional third) (if you have been studying the language you plan to take overseas, one of your recommenders should be from someone who can address your language proficiency)

After students submit their materials, they will receive an email with information about scheduling a campus review.