All Boren Awards-funded programs must include language study as a core element for the duration of the grant. Applicants are encouraged to select or design programs that will provide an immersive environment both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities in order to demonstrate their commitment to language study.

Boren Scholars should seek study abroad programs that have a serious language component. Although such programs may include some coursework, unpaid internships, or volunteer opportunities conducted in English, the strongest applicants will make every effort to immerse themselves in language study. Language study should comprise the majority of overseas coursework. Beyond the classroom, language immersion may take place in university housing with local students, in homestays with local families, or through research or volunteering conducted in the local language.

By mid-November, please contact Courtney Santos at courtney.santos@unl.edu to receive access to our fellowship advising course resources and the timeline for preparing your Boren Scholarship or Fellowship application for campus committee review. December 8 is the deadline for submitting drafts of essays for personalized feedback.