Funding your future: How the Boren Awards support language and service abroad

For students who dream of immersing themselves in another culture, mastering a new language, and making a tangible impact through public service, the Boren Awards for International Study opens the door to a world of opportunity.

Funded by the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards provide up to $25,000 for undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to U.S. engagement abroad, such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

The program’s goal is simple but powerful: to prepare students with the linguistic and cultural fluency needed to broadly contribute to global problem-solving and U.S. national security.
Boren Scholars and Fellows engage in immersive language study abroad, up to a full academic year, learning a critical language and building cross-cultural understanding. Additionally, graduate students applying as Boren Fellows have the option to add an additional research or internship component to their plans for language study. In exchange for this support, recipients commit to at least one year of federal service after graduation, working in positions that advance national and human security across agencies such as the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, or in fields related to development, sustainability and diplomacy.

The Boren Awards define “security” broadly, encompassing global challenges like climate change, migration and public health. That expansive view attracts students from every discipline, including the humanities, social sciences and STEM, who want to connect their academic interests with meaningful global engagement.

ASU students can learn more at an upcoming Boren Awards Information Session on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Durham Hall, Room 240 (851 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

During this lunchtime event, Michael Saffle, a Boren representative visiting ASU, will discuss program details, share insights on crafting a competitive application and highlight how participants can leverage their experience into federal careers.

The Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement (ONSA) offers individualized advising, essay feedback and  additional preparation for ASU students applying to the Boren Awards. The campus deadline is the first week of January, so now is the time to start exploring your options.

To learn more, visit borenawards.org or contact Kaia Johnson at [email protected], or [email protected]