The application for the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is now open and due on November 14, 2023.

 

The CLS Program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.  Depending on language and level, U.S. students can either apply for the overseas CLS Program or the virtual program -- CLS Spark.  The CLS Program offers in-person cohort-based programs at partner institutions abroad that provide instruction at various levels for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in 14 critical languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.   CLS Spark provides virtual instruction to U.S. undergraduate students at the complete beginning level of Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, specifically targeting students who do not have access to studying these languages at their home campus.  More information on eligibility is available at: https://clscholarship.org/applicants/eligibility.  

 

The CLS Program will host frequent webinars, Q&A sessions, and alumni panels for students and advisors throughout the fall. A full calendar with these events and corresponding registration links is available at: https://clscholarship.org/events.

 

The CLS Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education. It 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. The CLS Program plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.