About the NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships

The National Security Education Program's (NSEP) David L. Boren Fellowships enable U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. NSEP supports students studying languages, cultures, and world regions other than Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Boren Fellowships are intended to support U.S. graduate students who will pursue the study of languages and cultures deemed critical to U.S. national security, and who are highly motivated by the opportunity to work in the federal government.

Fellowships enable both master's and doctoral level students representing a broad range of academic and professional disciplines to add a significant language and international dimension to their curricula. Students already enrolled in internationally oriented programs are encouraged to intensify their study of areas, languages, and cultures through overseas study and domestic tuition support.

NSEP Program Areas of Focus

U.S. National Security Focus

NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security includes not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of a global society, including; sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth, migration, and economic competitiveness.

International Focus

Boren Fellowships are intended to provide or add to the international component of U.S. graduate students' educations. Boren Fellowships provide support for overseas study, domestic study, or a combination of both. Boren Fellowships do not require study abroad, although it is strongly encouraged, and most successful applications include a significant overseas component. Applications are encouraged for study of regions where access may be limited; however; these applications will not be penalized for exclusion of a study abroad component. Please note: Study in countries where there is no U.S. diplomatic presence is not permitted using NSEP funds.

Language Study

Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country or region must be an integral part of each application. The language component must incorporate opportunities to develop, maintain, or advance proficiency in a language, including instruction and application inside and outside the classroom setting.

Since many languages in critical countries and regions are not commonly taught at U.S. institutions, programs providing beginning language instruction in these languages are appropriate for Boren Fellowship applicants. Prior study of another language will serve as an indication of interest and aptitude.

For those students who have an advanced-level proficiency in Chinese, or Russian please note that you are eligible for support under the Boren Fellowship to participate in a National Flagship Overseas Program. Please see The Language Flagship for further details.

NOTE: Study of Spanish or French is permissible only when it is at an advanced level of competency or combined with the study of science, engineering or business, in which case it must be at an intermediate level. At the time of application, the Language Proficiency Form should be completed by a language instructor or other qualified evaluator. NSEP/IIE will verify the assessed competency level. The award will be made contingent upon verification of the appropriate level in Spanish and French.

The NSEP Service Requirement

The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the federal government in a position with national security responsibilities. The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or any element of the Intelligence Community are priority agencies. If an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies after making a full and good faith effort in accordance with conditions established by NSEP, the award recipient must seek a position with national security responsibilities in any federal department or agency. Approval of service outside of a priority agency is contingent upon satisfactory demonstration of a full and good faith effort in accordance with conditions established by NSEP.

Announcement: The U.S. Congress has recently included a provision that will enable 2008 NSEP award recipients to fulfill the NSEP Service Agreement in a broader range of employment opportunities. This provision allows for an additional option -- to fulfill the service agreement in a “position in the field of education in a discipline related to the study supported by the program.” Please note that this option will be available by petition only, and only to individuals who can demonstrate that they have exhausted all opportunities to gain federal employment. NSEP is working to develop guidelines for implementing this option. These guidelines will be available for all recipients of a 2008 award. Please also note that this provision is listed in the 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which as of mid-January has not yet been signed into law by the President, but is expected to be by early February 2008.