Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program App Now Open
U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
Applications are now being accepted for the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program at clscholarship.org. CLS Applications are due November 19, 2024 by 4:59pm PST / 7:59pm EST. UC Merced Study Abroad will host an info session Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:30am.
The CLS Program is a fully-funded intensive language and cultural immersion program for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 12 critical languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. Most CLS languages do not require previous study of the target language.
The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. The scholarship program includes international airfare, tuition, and all program costs, as well as meals and living accommodations (often with a host family).
The CLS Program seeks participants with diverse interests, and from a wide range of fields of study and career paths, with the purpose of representing the full diversity of the United States. Participants are selected based on their commitment to language learning and plans to apply their language skills to their future academic or professional pursuits.
CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.
Download a one-page CLS flyer here. For additional information, please visit clscholarship.org.
