Boren National Security Education Program Scholarships

Provides up to $25,000 to support immersive, language-centered study abroad for the purpose of equipping Americans with an understanding of less commonly studied languages and cultures in regions critical to U.S. interests. Study abroad for more than a semester is preferred, and most qualifying countries are less frequently visited by U.S. students. Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be an integral part of the proposal. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with strong academic records, language and international interests. FRESHMAN through SENIORS may apply for the Boren Scholarships and GRADUATE STUDENTS for the Boren Fellowships. Graduate students may propose projects related to their thesis research and writing. The awards carry a requirement of one year of work for the federal government. An institutional review and interview process is conducted on campus for applicants.

The Office for National and International Scholarships organizes the review process, consults with all interested students on assembling competitive applications, works with applicants to prepare for all stages of national competition, and publicizes results.

Application Deadline
January 6, 2025 (campus); January 22, 2025 (graduate national); January 29, 2025 (undergraduate national)
Application Year(s)
Freshman; Sophomore; Junior; Senior
Award Type(s)
Undergraduate; Graduate; Abroad Experience

University of MN Recipients

Some recipient names are not currently available.

  • 2024 Boren Scholar -- Joli Lacy, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Marketing (Monterey/Mandarin)
  • 2023 Boren Scholar -- Thomas Fabian, Math; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Monterey/Mandarin)
  • 2023 Boren Fellow -- Kee Her, International Youth Leadership (Thailand/Thai)
  • 2022 Boren Fellow – Phoebe Edalatpour, Civil Engineering (Sierra Leone/Mende)
  • 2021 Boren Scholar – Caleb Feltis, Linguistics; Computer Science (Monterey/Mandarin)
  • 2021 Boren Scholar – Maggie Lundberg, Linguistics; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Monterey/Mandarin)
  • 2020 Boren Scholar – Clara Bartnik, Economics (Declined)
  • 2020 Boren Scholar – Juliet Paulson, Anthropology (China/Mandarin)
  • 2020 Boren Scholar – Anna Sherman, Global Studies; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Monterey/Mandarin)
  • 2019 Boren Scholar – Benjamin Allard, Political Science (India/Hindi)
  • 2019 Boren Scholar – Jace Galley, Agricultural and Food Sciences (Senegal/French)
  • 2019 Boren Scholar – Samuel Lindberg, Economics (South Korea/Korean)
  • 2018 Boren Fellow – Laura Seithers, Education (Oman/Arabic)
  • 2017 Boren Fellow – Chelsea Cervantes de Blois, Geography (Azerbaijan/Turkish)
  • 2017 Boren Scholar – Nicole Robinson, Languages (Jordan/Arabic)
  • 2016 Boren Fellow – Elshiva Cohen, Education (Jordan/Arabic)
  • 2016 Boren Fellow – Chelsea Matson, Public Policy (Israel/Arabic)
  • 2016 Boren Fellow – Brooke McManigle, Public Policy (Morocco/Arabic)
  • 2015 Boren Scholar – Sean Van Domelan, International Affairs (Jordan/Arabic)
  • 2014 Boren Scholar – Victoria B, Linguistics (Brazil/Portuguese)
  • 2014 Boren Fellow – Chou Moua, Development Policy (China/Mandarin)
  • 2013 Boren Scholar – Joseph Spanjers, Economics (Morocco/Arabic)
  • 2012 Boren Scholar – Anna Kaminski, Global Studies, Arts (Jordan/Arabic)
  • 2012 Boren Scholar – Stephanie Morse-Noland, Asian Languages (S. Korea/Korean)
  • 2012 Boren Fellow – Peter Ehresman, International Affairs (China/Mandarin)
  • 2010 Boren Scholar – Rebecca Sand, Genetics (China/Mandarin)
  • 2010 Boren Fellow – Shawn O'Donnell, Public Administration (Syria/Arabic)
  • 2009 Boren Scholar – Mary Scott, Area Studies (India/Hindi)
  • 2009 Boren Scholar – International Politics (Jordan/Arabic)
  • 2009 Boren Scholar – International Health (Tanzania/Swahili)
  • 2008 Boren Scholar – History (Russia/Russian)
  • 2008 Boren Fellow – Geography (Tanzania/Swahili)
  • 2007 Boren Scholar – Physics (S. Korea/Korean)
  • 2006 Boren Scholar – Laura Schlicting, English (Egypt/Arabic)
  • 2006 Boren Scholar – International Business (Egypt/Arabic)
  • 2005 Boren Scholar – International Relations (Egypt/Arabic)
  • 2005 Boren Scholar – International Relations (Syria/Arabic)
  • 2004 Boren Fellow – Anthropology (Czech Republic/Czech)
  • 2004 Boren Fellow –Public Administration (Pakistan/Urdu)
  • 2003 Boren Scholar –International Relations (Egypt/Arabic)
  • 2000 Boren Scholar –Alexandra Zuber, International Relations (Zimbabwe)
  • 2000 Boren Fellow –Amy Porter, Anthropology (Cuba/Spanish)
  • 2000 Boren Fellow –Jai Ranganathan, Conservation Biology (India/Tamil)