DAVID L. BOREN UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR STUDY ABROAD

The campus pre-application is required and is due at 12 noon on Friday November 30, 2007. 

James Long Interview

What are NSEP Boren Scholarships?

The Boren Scholarships were designed to provide American undergraduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation. As a student of another culture and language you will begin to acquire the international competence you need to communicate effectively across borders, understand other perspectives and analyze increasingly fluid economic and political realities. The goal of NSEP is to enhance the capacity of the federal sector to deal effectively with the challenging global issues of the 21st century. NSEP David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. NSEP strongly emphasizes the importance of award recipients seeking and gaining employment in federal government organizations whose missions and functions are most directly related to national security.

Who is eligible to apply?

These competitive scholarships are available to undergraduates who are studying abroad in summer 2008, fall 2008, and/or spring 2009 in any country outside of  Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Foreign language study is required of all applicants.

Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.  Preference will be given to those majoring in engineering and applied sciences, business and economics, history, international affairs, political science, policy studies, health fields, law, anthropology, psychology and sociology.

FRESHMEN and SOPHOMORES may apply for summer, semester, or academic year programs.
JUNIORS and SENIORS may apply for semester or academic year programs.

Science majors, including juniors and seniors, may apply for summer, semester, or academic year programs.

Tell me more about the national security focus.

NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security applied by the President in his annual National Security Strategy, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

What is the service requirement?

The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community. If, after making a full and good faith effort (according to conditions and rules established by NSEP), an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, he or she may work in any U.S. federal department or agency with national security responsibilities. There is also an expectation that NSEP Boren Scholars will use the language or regional expertise acquired as a result of the award in their work for the U.S. government.

NSEP will be instituting a revised set of procedures that will assist award recipients in carefully documenting their job search history. NSEP will also be establishing a more formal review process to review an award recipient's request to fulfill the service requirement outside of the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, or the Intelligence Community, as well requests for waiver of the service requirement.

What is the campus application process?

The pre-application is due to the Charles Center at 12 noon on Friday Novmber 30, 2007.  This consists of the Statement of Purpose, a Banner transcript, and a completed Peer Scholarship Advisor form.  Applicants will be assigned to PSAs to continue working on their applications over winter break.  Complete applications (including letters of recommendation, official W&M transcripts including Fall 2007 grades, and high school transcripts if necessary) are due at 12 noon on Tuesday January 29 2008. Interviews follow.

What is the Statement of Purpose?

The Statement of Purpose, Parts I & II, is the most important part of the application and gives you an opportunity to present a rationale for studying abroad and to describe your proposed program. Each portion of your Statement (I & II) should be no more than the equivalent of two (2) typed pages, 10 point font. In preparing the statement, you should consider the following guidelines:

Part I: Study Abroad Rationale. Please discuss:

1. Why you want to study abroad, and why you believe that you deserve the scholarship;
2. Your specific objectives for the period of study abroad and how these compare to NSEP objectives to support U.S. national security;
3. How an NSEP Boren 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;
4. How you will apply your study abroad experience to your academic work upon returning to your home institution; and,
5. How your NSEP Boren Scholarship will advance your career objectives, especially as they relate to national security, international matters, and federal service.

Part II: Study Abroad Program Description (both the preferred and alternate programs). Please describe:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. Why you feel qualified to pursue this program of study; and,
4. The administrative support available in your proposed programs (e.g., facilities, resident director, housing, etc.).

Anything else I should know?

This is a GREAT opportunity for students interested in careers with the federal government.

Visit the NSEP website to start the application process www.iie.org/nsep

Click here to see a list of William and Mary's previous NSEP recipients.