Language Immersion

Boren Awards are an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Boren Awards support intensive language study and cultural immersion abroad. Applicants must demonstrate how the study of the critical language is important to U.S. national security and demonstrate a commitment to working in positions critical to U.S. national security through the federal government.

Boren Scholarships provide funding for undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens to study a critical language abroad.

Boren Fellowships provide funding for graduate students who are U.S. citizens to study a critical language and to undertake research, coursework, or an internship.

Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad. 

Contact UNT's Campus Representative for questions about Boren Awards and application assistance.

Schedule an advising appointment with UNT’s Boren Advisor

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a program offered by the U.S. Department of State for undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens.

CLS fellowships support intensive language study and cultural immersion abroad through a cohort-based program.

The fellowship covers the following types of expenses: (a) roundtrip airfare between the U.S. and CLS Program site, (b) room, board, and CLS sponsored travel within the host country, (c) language instruction and cultural programming, (d) textbooks and language materials, and (e) visa application fees, if applicable. The CLS does not cover expenses related to U.S. passport fees or medical exams or immunizations, if applicable.

CLS fellowships support the study of the following critical languages:

• Arabic*
• Chinese*
• Hindi
• Japanese**
• Korean*
• Persian
• Portuguese
• Russian*
• Swahili

*Indicates that one-year of study prior to CLS is required.
**Indicates that two years of study prior to CLS is required.

Apply Now: https://www.clscholarship.org/apply

Deadline: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST

For additional information, please contact UNT’s CLS Advisors: Dr. James Duban, Dr. Caroline Najour, and Dr. Amanda Bennett.

Learn more about CLS and fellowships for critical language study at:

Schedule an advising appointment with UNT’s Critical Language Scholarship Advisor