The Boren Awards, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, support language study and academic experiences abroad in regions considered important to U.S. interests. A proposal must include language learning and an eligible destination; Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe are outside the preferred country list. The program offers the Boren Scholarship for undergraduates and the Boren Fellowship for graduate students.
For the 2027 cycle, published national deadlines are January 27 for the undergraduate scholarship and January 20 for the graduate fellowship; campuses may set earlier internal review dates. One university, for example, lists January 4 as its internal deadline, showing why applicants should not wait for the national cutoff. Contact your institution’s fellowships office early and confirm endorsement requirements.
Undergraduate award amounts depend on length: university program information lists up to $8,000 for certain STEM summer experiences, $12,500 for 12–24 weeks, and $25,000 for 25–52 weeks, which the program prefers. These figures apply to the Boren Scholarship; the graduate fellowship follows different funding rules. Awardees also accept a later federal service commitment related to national security.
Applicants must connect country, language, academic plan, and a future public-service career; preferred destinations and languages can change by cycle. U.S. students should verify citizenship, enrollment status, program approval, and campus endorsement dates. This is not unrestricted travel money: the funded experience must fit the award design and service obligations. Check the national program’s current terms before committing expenses.
Before submitting, confirm whether the deadline is national, state, school, or campus-based, who must send each document, and the time zone. Keep receipts and check application status. Ask the financial-aid office how the award combines with FAFSA, other scholarships, and the full cost of attendance.
Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm how funding is coordinated.
Boren Awards 2027 application information — University of California, Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Boren Awards — University of New Hampshire Fellowships Office.
Information verified against official sources on October 13, 2026. Amounts, dates, and rules can change; confirm the cycle and terms with the administering organization before submitting documents or accepting an award.
Confirm eligibility and the deadline on the official cycle page before submitting.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Boren Awards / National Security Education Program
The Boren Awards, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, support language study and academic experiences abroad in regions considered important to U.S. interests. A proposal must include language learning and an eligible destination; Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe are outside the preferred country list. The program offers the Boren Scholarship for undergraduates and the Boren Fellowship for graduate students. For the 2027 cycle, publishe
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
University of California, Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
University of New Hampshire Fellowships Office · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Boren Awards / National Security Education Program ↗
Primary source
University of California, Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Boren Awards / National Security Education Program ↗
Primary source
University of New Hampshire Fellowships Office · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.