- National Security Education Program
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The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a U.S. federal government initiative in which U.S. citizens are given funding and training in critical languages (strategic languages) "to serve the needs of U.S. national security and national competitiveness." Some funding comes in exchange for a commitment to U.S. federal government service upon completion of academic study. NSEP is aimed at building a wider pool of Americans with foreign language and international skills by involving participants in "innovative, intensive, and long-term programs designed to provide meaningful opportunities to gain significant competencies in these languages and cultures." Selected through an annual nationwide competition, Boren awards are consistently listed as being among the most prestigious academic awards in the United States.[1]
NSEP was established by the National Security Education Act. It is managed by the National Security Education Board (NSEB), which meets once a year "to review and make recommendations based on program mission and objectives." The board is chaired by the Secretary of Defense, who has delegated responsibility to the Deputy Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OSD/P&R) provides policy oversight to NSEP. The NSEB is assisted by the NSEP Group of Advisors, "who provide more detailed review of program performance and administration." The NSEP Office (NSEPO) is located in Arlington, Virginia.Initiatives
NSEP has five initiatives:
Name Description Summary David L. Boren Scholarships "Up to $20,000, 1 academic year" "Each Boren Scholar undergraduate goes abroad to a critical country to study its language and culture. Awards are for up to one academic year. Boren Scholars demonstrate their merit for an award of up to $20,000 in part by committing to work for the U.S. Government for at least 1 year." David L. Boren Fellowships "Up to $30,000, 2 academic years" Boren Fellowships help graduate students develop independent overseas projects that combine language and culture study with professional practical experiences. Awards for up to $30,000 over 2 years are given along with a commitment to U.S. Government service for at least 1 year. The Language Flagship "Creating global professionals" "Flagship institutions in the U.S. and overseas offer advanced language education in the study of critical languages to bring undergraduate and graduate students to professional-level proficiency. Student support is available through Flagship institutions or competitive Flagship Fellowships, which require a commitment to Federal service." English for Heritage Language Speakers "720 hours of intensive instruction in English" "The EHLS focuses on intense classroom instruction, interaction with government and private business experts, and development of projects that prepare them for positions in the Federal Government." National Language Service Corps (NLSC) "Three year effort to develop the Corps" "NLSC represents a major opportunity for many Americans with language skills to serve the nation. The pilot Corps will include no fewer than 1,000 members drawn from all sectors of the U.S. population. Members will have the opportunity to join a dedicated pool or a national pool of linguists." The program began recruiting in January 2008. See also: National Security Language InitiativeReferences
External links
Categories:- United States national security policy
- Scholarships in the United States
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