BOREN AWARDS,

CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP,

& FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM

OCTOBER 2019

SPONSORED BY

THE UNIVERSITY FELLOWSHIPS OFFICE

AND SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

OVERVIEW

Boren Awards

Critical Language Scholarship

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Student panel

BOREN AWARDS

BACKGROUND

Mission: Increase the number of Americans studying languages and cultures that are

under-represented in study abroad, to prepare students to work in federal

government

Intense language study for less commonly taught languages and long-term study

abroad in areas critical to national security

Applicants pick their own program and apply to Boren for funding support!

Commitment to one year of service after graduation

Award amount ranges depends on applicant type and length of program

ELIGIBILITY

U.S. citizenship

Current enrollment in degree-seeking program (undergraduate or graduate) at a

U.S.-based university at time of application and duration of the award

Interest in studying a foreign language in an eligible world region

Study abroad program that meets Penn State standards

Long term linguistic and cultural immersion preferred

Focus on national security and public service

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Online information

Essay 1 – National security (800 words)

Essay 2 – Motivation and public service career(s)

Study plan summary

Abstract and methodology (Boren Fellows with a research component, only)

Recommendations (2 for Boren Scholars, 3 for Boren Fellows)

Language proficiency evaluation (Optional)

Budget proposal

Unofficial transcript

KEY DATES

Boren Scholars

Campus Deadline: January 16, 2020

National Deadline: February 5, 2020 (5 PM EST)

Boren Fellows:

Campus Deadline: December 6, 2019

National Deadline: January 29, 2020 (5 PM EST)

If you are participating in the campus process, the last day to submit materials for feedback is two weeks to before

the campus deadline. Otherwise, the last day to submit materials for feedback is two weeks before the national

deadline.

Funding received in the upcoming cycle may be applied to programs starting as early as June 1, 2020 or as late as

March 1, 2021.

CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP

BACKGROUND

• Mission: Increase the number and diversity of Americans studying and mastering

languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity• Prepare students for a globalized workforce

• Intensive, group-based language study for 15 critical languages and cultural immersion

in country where language is predominantly spoken

• Program is entirely funded

ELIGIBILITY

U.S. citizenship

Current enrollment in degree-seeking program (undergraduate or graduate) at a U.S.-based university at time of application

Interest in learning a critical language and applying it to future studies and/or career

Available to students from all fields of study

~16% STEM

Actively recruits students from under-represented groups in study abroad

40% identify as students of color

27% first-generation college students

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Online information

4 “short” essays

Resilience

Preparation for the CLS Program

Citizen diplomacy

Commitment to language study

1 statement of purpose

2 recommendations

Unofficial transcript

KEY DATES

National Deadline: November 19,

2019 (8 PM EST)

The last day to submit materials for

feedback is two weeks before the

national deadline.

FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM

Education is the best means – probably

the only means – by which nations can

cultivate a degree of objectivity about

each other’s behavior and intentions.

J.William Fulbright

BACKGROUND

Mission: Promote mutual

understanding between cultures and

nations and foster bilateral relations

Sponsored by the US Department of

State

Functions abroad with Fulbright

Commissions and Foundations, and U.S.

embassies

Over 1,600 grants awarded yearly

STUDY/RESEARCH AWARD

One-year program

Available in approximately 140 countries

Can be used to design an independent research project or complete further study at

a foreign university or other institute of higher education

Program requirements vary by country

Language requirement (none – advanced)

Number of awards offered

ENGLISH TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARD

One-year program

Available in approximately 140 countries

Involves teaching English while serving as US cultural ambassador

Program requirements vary by country

Classroom placement (kindergarten – university)

Proficiency level (none – advanced)

Responsibilities (co-instructor – independent instructor)

Number of awards offered

ELIGIBILITY

U.S. citizen or national

Hold a bachelor’s degree before the start of the grant

Language proficiency in host country (varies by country and award type)

Prior experience teaching (varies by country and award type)

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Personal statement (1 page)

Statement of grant proposal (1 – 2 pages)

Recommendations (3 letters)

Transcripts

Affiliation letter (Study/Research applicants, only)

Foreign language evaluations (varies by country)

Community

engagement

plan

KEY DATES

August 14, 2020 – Pre-application deadline

Applicants must notify the University Fellowships Office of their plans to apply and participate in the campus

process.

August 28, 2020 – Campus deadline

Applicants must submit a completed application through the Fulbright online application system. The UFO will

share the submitted materials with the applicant’s interview committee.

Month of September – Campus interviews are conducted

The UFO will assemble committees of Penn State faculty and staff to interview applicants. During the interview,

applicants will receive extensive feedback on their application materials. This interview is the only guaranteed

interview in the entire Fulbright application process.

October 13, 2020 (Expected) – National deadline

April

Fulbright Program opens

Summer

Work on application

Late August

Office deadline

September

Campus evaluation process

October

National competition deadline

Late January

Semi-finalists announced

Early May

Finalists announced

APPLICATION TIMELINE

STUDENT PANEL

Natalie Bennie

Germany, Fulbright ETA

Laura Guay

Senegal, Boren Scholar Alternate

Josie Krieger

Azerbaijan, Critical Language Scholar

THANK YOU!

Questions?

321 Boucke BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 863-8199

univfellowships@psu.edu

ufo.psu.edu