The David L. Boren Awards are nationally competitive merit-based scholarships (undergraduate) and fellowships (graduate-level) to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline
- At least 18 years of age or older by the time the application is submitted
- Planning an overseas program in an overseas destination outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
- Planning to study in an overseas destination of which they are not a citizen
- Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- Commitment to National Security & Government Service;
- Language Study;
- Academic Preparation & Proposal;
- Cultural Adaptability & Maturity;
- Strategic Importance.
- Online Application Form
- Proposed Program Information – Details about your language study, location, and duration.
- Essays
- National Security – Explains how your goals align with U.S. national security interests.
- Motivation and Public Service Careers – Describes why you chose your language, location, and program, and demonstrated commitment to federal service
- Budget Proposal
- Letters of Recommendation – 2 (undergrads) or 3 (grad students) from professors, mentors, or supervisors.
- Transcripts
- Language Self-Assessment
- Optional Language Evaluation – Completed by a language instructor, if applicable.
Campus Application Procedure
1. For those interested in the Boren, please complete the Student Interest form or the Alumni Interest form to receive program updates;
2. Attend one of the Boren Info Sessions or view a recording to determine the opportunity(ies) right for you;
3. Read the Boren website so you understand the eligibility and selection criteria;
4. Schedule a meeting with the Office of International Education to discuss your study abroad program; Schedule a meeting with the Office of Fellowships@URI to discuss your application;
5. Identify program(s) of interest as well as alternatives:
Consider your goals, objectives, housing and educational needs, in-country support, as well as any travel
restrictions/warnings
6. Start and familiarize yourself with the online application
7. Send the following items to keegan.scottr@uri.edu by the official URI Campus Application Deadline – Monday, January 6, 2026:
Both essays (name as such: Essays_Boren2026_LastName)
PDF of all college transcripts with fall grades (Transcript_Boren2026_LastName)
Online Application, including Budget and Language Self-Assessment
8. Send Letters of Recommendation and Language Evaluations to keegan.scottr@uri.edu by Friday, Jan 16, 2026.
Allow recommenders several weeks of advance notice to write your recommendations:
Explain the goals of the Boren Awards program;
Provide a printout or link to the program you are proposing to attend;
Provide a copy of your transcript and your resume;
Explain the type of federal service you are interested in;
Explain what your ultimate career aspirations are and how it relates to the Boren.
9. Once you have received feedback on your essays and application, upload your documents and hit submit on your online application by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, January 21st, 2026.
Application Timeline
- There is no such thing as starting too early for the Boren Scholarship and Fellowship! Begin considering how your language goals and career aspirations in government service dovetail. For those in STEM, think about how language learning and study abroad can forward your career in the federal government;
- Attend an information session or watch Boren’s many webinars;
- September – October: start – and familiarize yourself with – the online application
- November: Determine your letter writers and/or language evaluator, and reach out to them as soon as possible
- December: Draft your essays
- Campus Application Deadline – Monday, January 6, 2026;
- Essays, Online Application, Budgeting, and Language Self Assessment
- Campus Application Deadline – Friday, January 16, 2026;
- Letters of Recommendation and Language Evaluators
- FINAL CAMPUS DEADLINE – Friday, January 21, 2026;
- National Deadline – January 28, 2026;
- Post-deadline – Follow through with your study-abroad program. Contact the Office of International Education if necessary
- Finalists Announced – April 2026