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.

The NSEP Service Requirement

The NSEP service requirement stipulates award recipients 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 U.S. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the NSEP Service Requirement

What is the duration of the service requirement?

The duration of the service requirement is equal to the duration of assistance provided under the program, but in no case less than one year.

How much time is allotted to fulfill the service requirement?

Boren fellows must begin to fulfill the service requirement no later than two years after the date of graduation from or termination of the program of study for which the scholarship was awarded.

What is the Department of Defense?

The Department of Defense (DoD) provides the forces needed to deter war, protect the security of the United States, and render global humanitarian assistance as directed by the President. The department includes all offices and organizations that comprise the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, three military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force), nine Unified Combatant Commands, the DoD Inspector General, 15 defense agencies, and seven DoD field activities. For more information on the department, visit www.defenselink.mil

What is the Department of Homeland Security?

The Department of Homeland Security is a network of 22 federal agencies and organizations involved in efforts to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. For more information on the department, visit www.dhs.gov

What is the Department of State?

The Department of State is the lead federal agency responsible for U.S. foreign affairs. The department employs individuals in both civil and foreign service positions. For more information on the department, visit www.state.gov

What is the Intelligence Community?

The Intelligence Community is a group of executive branch agencies and organizations that work both independently and collaboratively to carry out intelligence activities necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States. The Intelligence Community comprises many organizations including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), and others. For more information on the Intelligence Community, visit www.intelligence.gov

What is a Boren Fellow required to do to find a job that fulfills the service requirement?

All Boren Fellows must make a full and good faith effort to identify and secure positions in the federal government. This effort includes a requirement to create and routinely update an online resume that will be made available to hiring officials in the U.S. federal government departments and agencies listed above, and to document specific efforts to identify employment opportunities in the federal government that would fulfill the NSEP service requirement.

How do Boren Fellows identify opportunities that would satisfy the service requirement?

NSEP is committed to working with Boren Fellows before and after graduation to help identify federal job opportunities. To assist in and facilitate the federal job search process, NSEP has developed an interactive web site - NSEPNET (www.nsepnet.org) - to help Fellows simplify and organize their job search efforts. NSEPNET maintains an online collection of federal job search tips, job notices, and resumes posted by recipients of NSEP awards. These resumes are made available to hiring officials in all federal departments and agencies where relevant employment opportunities exist.

How do Boren Fellows document their searches for appropriate positions in federal government?

In addition to serving as a repository of resumes prepared by NSEP award recipients, NSEPNET is also a tool that Boren Fellows must use to document their job search efforts. Through NSEPNET, award recipients are required to maintain a Job History Log of their activities to identify and pursue opportunities in the federal government that would satisfy the NSEP service requirement.

What happens if Boren Fellows are unable to identify and to obtain positions in one of the three departments or the Intelligence Community?

A Boren Fellow's Job Search History Log must demonstrate to NSEP that he or she has made a full and good faith effort to identify and apply for federal employment that satisfies the service requirement, especially in the three priority departments and the intelligence community. By maintaining detailed log entries, award recipients demonstrate specific efforts that were made to identify suitable job opportunities and, in particular, the types of positions that were available to them at the time they were seeking to fulfill their service requirement.

If Boren Fellows are not successful in identifying positions in the three priority departments or the Intelligence Community, they should pursue employment in another federal agency in a position with national security responsibilities. If a Fellow finds such a position he or she must justify why the position has national security responsibilities. There is an expectation that Boren Fellows, during their period of employment to fulfill the service requirement, will utilize the language or area expertise acquired during the course of the Boren Fellowship.

What if a Boren Fellow is unable to secure employment in any federal agency?

While NSEP is deeply committed to helping Boren Fellows secure federal employment, the federal government is not obligated to hire any individuals who have received funding through this program. Therefore, if a Fellow has made a full and good faith effort to secure employment during the course of his or her service requirement to no avail, he or she is free from any and all obligations associated with the service requirement.

Are opportunities to gain federal employment improved by having an Boren award?

Boren award recipients enjoy several advantages as they seek federal employment. First, NSEPNET connects award recipients directly with potential federal employers. Federal hiring officials perform searches of Boren award recipients' resumes for specific types of expertise. Second, NSEP maintains staff that is available to guide and assist Fellows in their job search efforts. Further, Boren award recipients benefit from several legal provisions that allow them to be hired in the federal government without regard to most federal hiring restrictions.

What types of federal positions are Boren Fellows required to accept?

Boren Fellows are required to accept only paid positions commensurate with the level of education and experience they possess. Fellows may elect to satisfy the service requirement by accepting suitable paid or unpaid full-time, part-time, temporary, and/or internship positions. NSEP does not have the authority to require an individual to accept any position. Employment in the federal government prior to receipt of a Boren Fellowship does not count toward fulfilling the service requirement.

Can Boren Fellows defer the service requirement?

Deferrals of the service requirement and their durations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for Boren Fellows who pursue an additional advanced degree, and who demonstrate a commitment to sustain or advance their expertise in the language and/or geographic area for which the Boren Fellowship was awarded.

What happens if a Boren Fellow fails to fulfill the service requirement?

Award recipients who fail to make a full and good faith efforts to fulfill the service requirement are required to reimburse the U.S. government for the full amount of assistance provided from the Boren Fellowship plus interest.