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Foreign or domestic study?

Boren Fellowships provide support for overseas or domestic study, or a combination of both. But make sure to take into account the following preferences:

• We strongly encourage you to study in the country or region relevant to your field of study. Although study outside the United States is not required, successful applications generally include significant time, perhaps a full academic year, spent abroad.
• As we've noted elsewhere, preference is given to students who will study countries, languages and fields identified as critical to US national security.
• Students planning a career in the federal government also receive preference.

Generally, domestic study is helpful for students to prepare for their overseas study. For example, students may take Russian language classes to prepare them for research in Russia. Funding for domestic study may only be used on language and area studies courses.

Overseas study

Awards for overseas study are based on program costs and appropriate program-related expenses for a maximum of $12,000 per semester, up to two semesters ($24,000 total).

Support for overseas study is limited to one year (12 months). Summer programs may be considered if they are equivalent to a full academic semester. Expenses for dependents are not covered.

See Preferred countries for details on selecting an overseas location for study.

Domestic study

The domestic component of a Boren Fellowship program offers support specifically for language and area studies that enhance a degree program. It is not intended to support the general tuition costs of obtaining a degree.

Applicants in degree programs with mandatory language or area studies course requirements may be subject to reductions in their domestic components, if the requests appear to be heavily predisposed toward required coursework. The level of support for domestic language and area studies is variable depending on the individual requirements of each applicant. However, the total request for domestic support may not exceed the total request for overseas support if used in combination.

A Boren Fellowship application for domestic study only may request a maximum of $12,000 support over 24 months.

Remember, although domestic study is allowed, proposals without a significant overseas component are less likely to be competitive.

Bridge Awards from the National Bureau of Asian Research

Up to ten Boren Fellows may be selected for a Bridge Award, from the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR).

To apply for this opportunity, you must complete Essay #4 in addition to your other application materials.

Fellows will work at NBR offices in either Seattle or Washington, D.C. immediately following their return from overseas. Work as a research associate at NBR will be undertaken in place of the domestic academic component of a Boren Fellowship. You may not do both.

NBR conducts research on security concerns, economic growth, governance questions, politics, international relations, and U.S. interests across the Asia Pacific.