David L. Boren Scholarships for undergraduate students

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students 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. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Boren Scholarships: Summer Initiative for STEM Majors

The Boren Scholarships offer a special initiative for undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors. The scholarships fund up to $8,000 for summer study (minimum of 8 weeks) for students majoring in the STEM fields.

All other applicants must plan to study overseas for at least a semester. STEM field majors are also encouraged to apply for semester and year programs.

The African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI)

Offers Boren Scholarship applicants the opportunity to study African languages and cultures by participating in domestic and overseas language programs.

The South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI)

offers Boren Scholarship applicants the opportunity for intensive language study of Hindi and Urdu and cultural immersion by participating in domestic and overseas language programs. 

The Boren Scholarship funds the study of language and culture in a program of your choosing. The Boren Scholarship does not choose a program for you nor do they recommend or suggest programs. Choosing the right study abroad program is a matter to be decided in consultation with academic advisors, the Boren Campus Representative, as well as other trusted sources. 

In order to receive feedback and an evaluation form from Vassar College you must meet the CAMPUS DEADLINE: January 30, this includes all letters of recommendation

National deadline: February 5, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. EST

In order to be considered for this opportunity you must complete a confidentiality waiver and submit it to the Office for Fellowships. This should be submitted BEFORE you request letters of recommendation.

1. You must register for an on-line application through Embark on the Boren website. In order to be considered for a grant, the application must be submitted electronically through Embark by the Vassar Campus deadline.
2. All supporting documentation should be submitted electronically through Embark by the campus deadline.
3. Letters of Recommendation and the Language Proficiency Evaluation. You are required to submit two letters of recommendation, and you may submit a third. All letters must be submitted through the online application. Contact your referees as soon as possible. The Language Proficiency evaluation is an optional evaluation is part of the online application. It may be completed by a language instructor who can assess your level in the language you have chosen to study during your Boren funded program. You should review the recommendation and language evaluation guidelines on the Boren website prior to selecting your writers. Once you create an account and indicate who your referees will be, they will automatically receive an email with instructions and the appropriate form for the letter. 
4. You will be asked to set up an interview with Kerry Stamp, Director of International Programs. You may call the Office of International Programs at (845) 437-5260 to schedule an appointment.
5. The Boren Review Committee reviews each application carefully and completes the campus evaluation form. 

The deliberations of the committee are confidential. Feedback will not be provided after the committee meets and makes a decision.