David L. Boren Awards for International Study

The online application includes three required essays.  Essays one and two should be no more than 6,000 characters, not including spaces. Essay three should be no more than 3,000 characters, not including spaces. Essays should be single-spaced, except when spaces separate paragraphs.

1. Explain the significance of your proposed study plan and your selected region, language, and culture to U.S. national security, broadly defined.  You should also describe how your proposed study plan relates to your academic and career goals, including your plans to fulfill the service requirement. 
2. Describe your proposed study plan in detail. Boren Fellowships support language and other classroom study, overseas research, overseas academic internships, or any combination of these elements. Explain all significant features of your plan, including institutional or other affiliations, if known.
3. Describe your specific goals for language study, including the proficiency level you hope to attain and how you plan to develop your language skills to that level. Describe your past experience in studying or speaking the language (or another language if relevant), as well as your plans for continuing to study and/or speak the language following your Boren Fellowship.