Critical Language Scholarship

The CLS Program provides opportunities for American college and university students to study languages and cultures essential to America's engagement with the world. 

Each summer, American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities across the country, spend eight to ten weeks learning one of thirteen languages at an intensive study abroad institute. The CLS Program is designed to promote rapid language gains and essential intercultural fluency in regions that are critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

Languages Offered

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CLS Program, applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application.
  • Others, including Permanent Residents, are not eligible, even if they anticipate naturalization by the beginning of the program.
• Be at least 18 years old by May 15, 2024.
• Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) or graduate (master's, doctoral, professional degree) level at the time of application. Students who are graduating seniors at the time of application and students enrolled in one-year master’s programs are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in a program that results in a degree. Applicants who are taking stand-alone or continuing education classes or who are pursuing a certificate are not eligible.
  • Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution. Students earning degrees at foreign institutions that are not based in the U.S. or its territories are not eligible, even if those institutions are accredited by a recognized U.S. accrediting agency.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in at least one credit-bearing class at or through their home institution in the fall term of 2023. There are limited exceptions to the enrollment requirement; please read the following information carefully:
    • If applicants are enrolled in a degree-granting program but taking a leave of absence to participate in an organized term- or year-long study abroad program; national scholarship or fellowship program; or to participate in a substantive internship program, they may request an exception to the enrollment requirement. Exceptions may only be granted in these three cases, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis beginning in late January.
      • If applicants are not taking classes at or through their home institution in the fall term, they must submit a CLS Enrollment Confirmation form completed by their home registrar in the U.S. Applicants must also submit a signed letter from the program provider explaining the opportunity and confirming their participation. American Councils will provide the CLS Enrollment Confirmation form and further instructions to applicants selected as semi-finalists. If selected as a finalist, American Councils may ask the finalist to submit updated documentation from the program provider confirming their successful completion of the program.
  • Applicants must successfully complete academic requirements for the fall term in order to remain eligible for the CLS Program. Applicants who withdraw or fail to maintain a passing grade average are not eligible to participate in the program.

• Applicants in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor's) must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program in Summer 2024.
• Applicants must meet the language requirements of the program to which they apply.
• Applicants may only apply once, for one language and for one of CLS’ models (i.e., Overseas or Spark), each year. Applicants who submit multiple applications will be considered ineligible.

Selection Criteria for the CLS Program

Award recipients for the CLS Program overseas will be selected on the basis of merit with consideration for the following:

Connection between language and goals; Contribution to the CLS Program goals of citizen diplomacy and mutual understanding; Preparation for the CLS Program; Adaptability, sensitivity, and resilience; and Commitment to language learning.

All other factors being equal, the CLS Program gives preference to veterans of the United States armed forces.

All other factors being equal, applicants are selected with the goal of representing geographic diversity and a diversity of institutions and fields of study.

Preference may be given to candidates with limited or no previous study abroad experience.

More Information

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 U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world.

The CLS Program plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.If you have any questions, please contact the CLS Program team at: clsadvisors@americancouncils.org.