Fellowships and Scholarships
The National Security Education Program
David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship
Overview
The National Security Education Program ("NSEP") was established by the United States government in 1991. The Program is guided by a mission that seeks to lead in the development of the national capacity to educate U.S. citizens, understand foreign cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security. The focus of NSEP is on geographical areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. The scholarships can be applied to study abroad in all regions or countries except Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Eligibility
In order to apply for an NSEP David L. Boren scholarship, you must be a U.S. citizen matriculated as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in a U.S. post-secondary institution. You must use the scholarship for study abroad on a Boston University program or other program approved in advance by Boston University. Your program must end before you graduate. In addition, you must be willing to enter into a service agreement (see below).
Criteria
Scholarship award recipients are selected on the basis of merit. Consideration is given to the applicant's academic record and potential to succeed in the proposed study abroad experience, commitment to international education to fulfill academic and career goals, language interest and aptitude, and the quality and appropriateness of the proposed program and its relevance to the National Security Education Program. These qualities will be assessed by a campus rating committee and evaluated by regional screening panels and a national nominating panel. Students should provide evidence of a strong link between their study abroad experience, and their academic and international career goals as they relate to the mission of the NSEP.
Application
Process
Undergraduates interested in applying for an NSEP David L. Boren scholarship must submit an application via the NSEP web site to the Boston University Office of the Provost. Use bufellow@bu.edu as the NSEP Campus Representative's E-mail address. If you intend to use an NSEP David L. Boren scholarship to fund a Boston University International Program, you must apply for acceptance to the Boston University Office of International Programs prior to submitting your NSEP David L. Boren application. Once you have selected a study abroad option, you should concentrate on developing a compelling proposal, relating your program of study to the mission of the NSEP. Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be part of your proposal. The language component should incorporate opportunities to learn a language in a meaningful context, including instruction and application both inside and outside the classroom setting. The integrated nature of this aspect of the study abroad experience should be readily apparent in your program description. Applications must be submitted to the Office of the Provost, One Sherborn Street, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02215 by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Award Value and Conditions
The amount of an NSEP David L. Boren scholarship award is based on financial need, as certified by the Office of Financial Assistance. The amount will vary from the cost of participation in a proposed study abroad program, to partial support. The maximum scholarship for any one academic term in a study abroad program is $10,000, and up to two terms can be covered.
All NSEP award recipients incur an obligation to work for an agency of the federal government with national security responsibilities. If after a "good faith" effort you are unsuccessful in identifying federal employment, you can fulfill the requirement through work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded. The duration of the service requirement is equal to the amount of time for which scholarship support is received. For more information about the agreement, please visit the NSEP service obligation page.
Additional information is available from the NSEP web site.
