NSEP/David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David Boren Scholarships are designed to encourage and support American students who wish to acquire skills and experience in less commonly studied languages and cultures. The NSEP offers more than 300 merit-based scholarships each year for the study of languages, cultures, and world regions not commonly represented in American international education, specifically those outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The undergraduate program offers awards of up to $20,000 for students who study abroad; the graduate program offers awards of up to $25,000 per year for research pursued at home and abroad.
Scholarship award recipients will be selected on the basis of merit, with particular attention to academic record and potential for success 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 study-abroad project.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be U.S. citizens
- be enrolled as a degree-seeking students at the time of application, as well as during the planned study-abroad period
- propose a study-abroad experience that meets their home institution standards.
Freshmen and Sophomores may apply for summer, semester, and full-year programs; Juniors and Seniors may apply for semester and full-year programs.
The NSEP awards have an additional benefit: because these grants are given with the expectation that the recipients will later apply their new skills and experience in ways beneficial for the United States, recipients are granted preferential placement in internships and positions with the U.S. government (e.g., in the Congress, the State Department, etc.).
Potential applicants should make an appointment with the UK Office of External Scholarships in mid- to late Fall 2005 in order to prepare for the application process, which is partially completed online. The completed application (with supporting documents) must be returned to the UK Office of External Scholarships by January 30, 2006; the Office will submit applications by the postmark deadline of 2/10/06. Winners are selected by NSEP in late April, and award recipients are notified in early May.
The application includes an online form which includes the statement of purpose, two to three reference forms, official transcript(s), and (a) one-page study abroad program description with cost information or (b) letters of support for direct enrollment and individually arranged study.
The statement of purpose is composed two parts and should be no longer than two typed pages (in 10-point type).
Part I, the Study Abroad Rationale, should address the following topics:
- Why you want to study abroad, and why you believe that you deserve the scholarship;
- Your specific objectives for the period of study abroad and how these compare to NSEP objectives to support U.S. national security;
- How an NSEP scholarship will help you meet your goals, personally and professionally. You may wish to include information about yourself such as family, work, leadership and community experience;
- How you will apply your study abroad experience to your academic work upon returning to your home institution; and,
- How your NSEP scholarship will advance your career objectives, especially as they relate to national security, international matters, and federal service.
Part II, the Study Abroad Program Description, should address the following topics:
- The study abroad program's course of study and related cultural activities, the reasons you selected the program, and how it relates to your academic and career goals;
- The language component of your study abroad program and the level of proficiency you hope to gain upon completion of the program. Specifically cite the number of classroom contact hours, and informal language study opportunities, including home-stays and other opportunities to speak the language outside of the classroom;
- Why you feel qualified to pursue this program of study; and,
- The administrative support available in your proposed programs (e.g., facilities, resident director, housing, etc.)
For additional information about the scholarship and the application process, see http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/nsephome.htm.
