Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

Deadline: November 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time

Purpose

Provides U.S. students with immersive opportunities to study critical languages abroad, as well as beginner-level virtual instruction (through CLS Spark) for select languages. The program is part of a U.S. government effort to increase the number of Americans proficient in key foreign languages.

Program Structure

An intensive 8-10 week study abroad program, equivalent to one academic year, with 15 hours per week of formal instruction, plus extracurricular and cultural immersion activities.

Language

Includes Indonesian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and others.

Funding

Covers tuition, living costs, travel, and educational expenses for one academic year of intensive full-time study. Participants also gain non-competitive eligibility for U.S. government employment for up to three years after completing the program.

Eligibility: Applicants must:

• U.S. citizenship is required (Permanent Residents are not eligible).
• Must be at least 18 years old by May 15, 2025.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program (undergraduate or graduate) and have completed at least one year of study by summer 2025.
• Applicants must meet the specific language requirements of the program they apply for.

Application Deadline

November 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time.

For more details, including application requirements and guidelines, visit Apply for the 2025 CLS Program.