As a recent recipient of the Boren Fellowship, Kathryn Curtis (MPA ’15) spent twelve months in Brazil studying Portuguese, food security, and climate change. Today, she plans to produce a plantable coloring book that will combine her research findings with the drawings of award-winning Brazilian artist, Rogério Fernandes (Curtis recently launched a crowdfunding campaign through indiegogo to support the project).
"During my time in Brazil I volunteered with a sustainable agriculture non-profit in Belo Horizonte, a think-tank based in Rio de Janeiro that addresses deforestation in the Amazon, and traveled to many remote areas where the drought was particularly harsh," says Curtis. "I am so grateful for the Ford School and the Boren Fellowship for this incredible opportunity to learn more about these critical issues."
The Boren Awards for International Study provide funding for U.S. students to study foreign languages in areas underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security interests, broadly defined. Languages include Portuguese, Arabic, Bambara, Hindi, Persian, Thai, Urdu and many others.
Sponsored by the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards aim to develop U.S. citizens with international experience and foreign language skills. Boren Award recipients must commit to working in federal government for at least one year after graduation.
The Boren Fellowship provides U.S. graduate students up to $24,000 for overseas study, including housing, travel, insurance and other expenses. Applicants should design a project based on their academic interests that includes a significant language component. Award funds can be used for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 52 weeks.
Application Deadline – January 28, 2016. For more information about applications, visit here.
Boren Scholarships cover costs associated with an undergraduate study abroad program, including housing, travel expenses, insurance and other expenses. The scholarship funds up to $20,000 for a full academic year; scholars can also study for a summer program or a semester.
Application Deadline – February 9, 2016. For more information about the application process, visit here.