David L. Boren Awards for International Study

As a Boren Fellowship applicant, you should have noticed that there are a number of steps required to complete the application. In order to have an eligible application, you must complete all of the online and supplementary components by January 29, 2009. 

Online Application Components

Most of the Boren Fellowship application is completed online.

1. Project Proposal – Boren Fellowship applicants design their own proposals, and there is a lot of flexibility allowed. Applicants should see the October newsletter article entitled Crafting the Boren Fellowship Proposal  for suggestions and ideas. The essay section allows the applicant to explain the proposed project, explain the significance of the project to U.S. national security and future career work, and describe his or her foreign language learning goals. 

2. Detailed Overseas Budget – The online application includes a detailed overseas and domestic budget section. Applicants should complete the online budget form, detailing all expenses for the program. The overseas budget section also includes a budget detail section, which should be completed by applicants proposing academic internships or research. This will allow further explanation of detailed costs.

3. Letters of Reference – Three letters of reference are required to be submitted online. Applicants should see the November newsletter article entitled Obtaining Stellar Letters of Reference for helpful suggestions. Applicants should verify that their referees have received the username and password necessary to complete the references. At any time, applicants can login to the application and see what the status of each letter of reference is. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all references are submitted. 

4. Language Proficiency Form – Applicants may choose to include an optional language proficiency form, which must be completed online by a language instructor or other qualified language evaluator. This form is similar to the online reference form, and applicants should verify that their reviewers have received the username and password necessary to complete the form.  

Supplementary Materials

The following materials must be mailed to the Institute of International Education by the application deadline. If possible, applicants should collect these materials and send them to the address below in one package by a traceable method.

Boren Fellowships
Institute of International Education
1400 K Street NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

1. Transcripts – Applicants must submit official academic transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.

2. Overseas Letter of Affiliation – If possible, applicants should provide a letter from an academic institution, research institute, non-governmental organization, and/or an individual who is aware that the applicant is planning study and/or research in that country and is willing to assist the applicant in coordinating his or her plans. Applicants should remember that the letter of affiliation is not required at the time of application, and the lack of this letter should not stop one from applying.  

Once you complete all online components of the application and have mailed the supplementary materials to IIE, the application process is completed. IIE will mail all applicants the competition results during the first week of May.