The Boren Fellowship supports graduate students who are U.S. citizens and who want to pursue language study in non-traditional regions and countries for a minimum of six months. Applicants also have the option to add a self-designed research component. As alumni, Boren Fellows are committed to public service, working in federal positions.
The Boren Fellowship funds language study and research proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. It provides up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks and up to an additional $5,000 for domestic language study during the summer preceding the overseas portion. This is entirely optional but may be useful preparation for Boren Fellows whose overseas program requires they arrive at their overseas location with strong language skills.
Eligible regions include Africa, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and former Soviet Republics, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Fellowships MAY NOT be used for study in Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
In addition to self-designed study programs in eligible countries, the Boren Awards program offers two regional language initiatives. These include domestic and overseas study:
- African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI) to study French, Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof, or Zulu;
- Southeast Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SEAFLI) to study either Indonesian, Thai, or Vietnamese
Information Sessions
Learn more and register for an upcoming session:
- Friday, October 31, 12:00 – 12:30 pm
- Tuesday, November 4, 4:00 – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday, November 5, 4:00 – 4:30 pm
- Thursday, November 6, 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Interested but unable to attend? Please contact Leslie Brice Bustamante at lbrice@umd.edu.
Important: The Boren Fellowship is a U.S. Government-funded award that seeks applicants who have a strong interest in future Federal Government service; the award carries a one-year service requirement.
Important: Participants must maintain their student status while abroad and may be responsible for associated fees and minimum tuition requirements.
High Acceptance Rate: All UMD applicants for the Boren Fellowship are encouraged to participate in a campus application process, which is designed to help strengthen the application. UMD graduate students have over a 50% acceptance rate!
National Deadline: January 22, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET