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Funding

Partial / Stipend

Boren Fellowships

FellowshipGlobal

National Security Education Program (NSEP)

Application Deadline

January 20, 2027

Official Page

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

“Boren Fellowships applicants may be matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.” Eligibility

  • Eligible nationalities

    USA

  • Education required

    Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor

  • Age requirement

    ≥ 18 yrs

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Boren Fellowships are awarded by the U.S. National Security Education Program (NSEP) and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). They fund U.S. graduate students to study a language abroad, outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Language study is the core; Fellows may add thesis research, coursework or an unpaid internship, or join the African Flagship Languages Initiative. Preference goes to stays over 25 weeks, listed languages, destinations and fields, and applicants aiming for a federal career.

Benefits & funding

  • Up to US$25,000 for 25–52 weeks (preferred); US$12,500 for 12–24 weeks.
  • Covers approved tuition and fees, room and board, airfare, insurance, visas, local transport and select research costs; meant for most costs, not all.
  • Other aid covering the same costs reduces the award.
  • Duty: work for the federal government for at least one year, starting within two years of graduation.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizens by the national deadline.
  • Aged 18 or older when applying; high school diploma or GED.
  • Enrolled in or applying to a graduate degree program (master’s, JD, PhD, MD or similar) at an accredited U.S. institution; enrolled by the start date and not graduated before the award ends. Certificate programs alone do not qualify.
  • Destination outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and not a country of which you are a citizen.
  • ROTC cadets and Reserve or National Guard members must be in inactive, non-drilling status during the award.
  • No minimum language level, except French, Spanish and the Persian MPS program.
  • At least 15–20 language hours a week; internships must be unpaid and not with any government.

Application process

  1. 1
    Choose a language, destination and program (an alternate program is required for Arabic, Mandarin, Russian or asterisked destinations).
  2. 2
    Write two essays (up to 800 and 1,000 words) and secure three recommendations (relatives not accepted).
  3. 3
    Upload an unofficial transcript and a budget; add host affiliation letters for research or internships.
  4. 4
    Meet any earlier campus deadline, then submit online by January 20, 2027, 5 pm Eastern.

Program timeline

  1. National application deadline

    January 20, 2027 (5 pm ET)

  2. Selection notifications

    Mid-to-late April 2027

  3. Window for funded programs to start

    June 2027 – March 1, 2028

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