Indiana University Bloomington students won more federally-funded Boren Awards for critical languages than any other U.S. university.
IU Bloomington was named the Top Performing Institution for 2024 for scholarships and fellowships. Twelve undergraduate and one graduate student received the awards, breaking the campus’ record.
Boren Awards were created to increase the number of experts in languages important to U.S. security. The National Security Education Program has administered the awards since 1994.
“One of the motivating reasons to start and fund this program was to have a strategic reserve of talent and knowledge — and I would add to that of language ability,” said Paul Fogleman, director of IU’s Office of National Scholarships and Awards.
IU students will travel to Morocco, Kazakhstan, Ghana and Taiwan. The university reported the students won $365,000 in national language scholarships.
“We are so proud of these exceptional students who will use their language excellence to make the world a safer and more connected place,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “This honor is another example of Indiana University’s national leadership in critical language instruction.”
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Fogleman is part of IU’s Boren Awards review committee, which evaluates students’ applications and plans. IU Global Associate Director Amanda Roshan Rawaan is the campus representative for the scholarship program.
Boren Award recipients have to complete intensive language study in countries outside of Western Europe, and they must complete a one-year service requirement with the federal government.
Fogleman said the U.S. security component of Boren Awards can intimidate students, but it’s applied broadly to students’ programs. Some students are interested in government and traditional security work, but others can study cultural exchange.
The federal service requirement of the award is also flexible, he said.
Students selected for Boren Awards are not beginners, Fogleman said. They spend months in another country to advance their language skills and complete their programs.
He said Boren Scholars and Fellows can be thought of as ambassadors.
“They represent students from Indiana University. They represent the United States. They represent their home communities,” Fogleman said.
In 2024, the Boren Awards national panel selected 102 Boren Fellows at the graduate level and 215 Boren Scholars at the undergraduate level. Students could earn up to $25,000.
Today, fewer students enroll in foreign language programs. Some college language programs — such as those West Virginia University — face major cuts.
Fogleman said the Boren Award founders believed the U.S. can reserve skilled language speakers like it would oil and other important resources.
“It's to our detriment to look away from that and, and not continue to be competitive with other countries,” Fogleman.
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Like the Boren Awards, the National Security Education Program also sponsors The Flagship Language programs.
IU Bloomington has flagship programs in Russian, Arabic and Chinese, and Fogleman stressed the strength and integrity of those programs.
This summer, Hamilton Lugar School Global and International Studies’ Language Workshop students are studying on campus. They pledge to only speak the language they’re studying. Fogleman said that kind of time and investment into language study positions students well for scholarships such as Boren Awards.
“The Boren program’s focus on critical language acquisition connects to a core element of our mission: to produce students with deep knowledge of foreign languages and cultures who are prepared to make a positive difference on key global issues,” said John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School. “Our students’ success reflects their excellence and that of their dedicated faculty mentors. We are delighted that so many have earned this prestigious scholarship.”
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright .
