Critical Language Scholarships (CLS)

Expand Your World with the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The CLS Program is a fully funded, intensive summer study abroad opportunity that helps American undergraduate and graduate students gain fluency in languages vital to U.S. global engagement. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, CLS supports immersive learning in critical languages not commonly taught in U.S. schools, boosting language skills and cross-cultural understanding in just 8–10 weeks.

Each summer, students from colleges and universities across the country travel abroad to study one of 13 high-demand languages—such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Swahili—at top-tier language institutes. Participants experience rapid language acquisition and develop intercultural competencies that are essential for careers in diplomacy, international affairs, global business, and beyond.

Virtual Option

CLS Spark, a virtual initiative of the CLS Program, offers beginning-level Arabic, Chinese, and Russian instruction online. Designed for students who may not have access to these languages on their home campuses, CLS Spark leverages cutting-edge virtual learning tools to deliver high-impact language training, without leaving home.

Can’t travel abroad? CLS Spark lets you learn Arabic, Chinese, or Russian from anywhere. This beginner-level, virtual program includes:

• Real-time online classes with native speakers
• Cultural exchange activities
• Community-building with fellow learners
• No cost to participants

Ideal for students at institutions where critical language offerings are limited.

Program Benefits

• Government & NGO Pathways: Gain a competitive edge for careers in international relations, global health, security studies, and more
• Fully Funded: Includes travel, tuition, housing, meals, and cultural activities
• Career-Ready Skills: Boost your resume with language proficiency and global experience
• Lifelong Network: Join a growing community of language scholars and global professionals

Who Should Apply?

CLS is ideal for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who:

• Are committed to developing fluency in a critical language
• Have an interest in public service, international work, or cross-cultural engagement
• Want to strengthen their graduate school or job applications with a prestigious national award
• Are looking for fully funded study abroad opportunities

Year	Name	Major	Type Of Award	Location
2023	Meer, Nina	Business Administration	Critical Language Scholarship	Chinese
2023	Barger, Alec	History and Religious Studies	Critical Language Scholarship	Russian
2023	Ganster, Aura	Nutrition and Food Science	Critical Language Scholarship	Chinese
2022	Maguire, Gretta	Master of Music	Critical Language Scholarship	Chinese
2022	Saeed, Usman	Computer Science	Critical Language Scholarship	Arabic
2022	Witt, Julie	Integrated Studies	Critical Language Scholarship	Hindi
2021	Maguire, Gretta	Master of Music	Critical Language Scholarship	Chinese
2019	Marshall, Alexis	Foreign Language and Journallism	Critical Language Scholarship	Arabic
2019	Seaton, Destiny	Journalism	Critical Language Scholarship	Indonesia
2017	Boley, Bonnie	International Relations	Critical Language Scholarship	Turkey
2017	McHugh, Ethan	Philosophy	Critical Language Scholarship	Arabic
2015	Browning, Brianna	Global Studies	Critical Language Scholarship	South Korea
2015	Henderson, Caitlin	International Relations	Critical Language Scholarship	Chinese
2010	Mackie, Adrian	International Relations and Anthropology	Critical Language Scholarship	Arabic
2010	Shew, Aaron	International Relations and Global Studies	Critical Language Scholarship	Urdu
2009	Shew, Aaron	International Relations and Global Studies	Critical Language Scholarship	Urdu

Languages Offered through CLS

The CLS Program currently supports study in the following 13 critical languages:

• Arabic
• Azerbaijani
• Bangla
• Chinese
• Hindi
• Indonesian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Persian
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Swahili
• Turkish

No prior language experience is required for many of these languages, making CLS an excellent opportunity for beginners and advanced learners alike.