Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

A program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to increase the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages and applying those skills in their professional careers. 

Students spend eight to ten weeks over the summer studying one of a dozen critical languages in classes facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period and apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers. CLS Program Scholars are citizen ambassadors, sharing what it means to be American and promoting mutual understanding through meaningful exchanges with their host communities. 

Scholars are selected from a national pool of applicants representing a wide range of institutions, including four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic-serving institutions. Students from all disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply.

While abroad, scholars are supported by expert on-site staff. CLS alumni also serve as a resource for scholars who are navigating a new cultural landscape. Expenses, including flights, tuition, housing, meals, and limited medical reimbursement benefits are covered by the program, making the CLS Program an accessible opportunity for students of various means.

In addition to the overseas institutes, CLS Spark, an initiative of the CLS Program, provides opportunities for competitively selected American undergraduate students to study Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian virtually at the beginning level, as well as Japanese virtually at the beginner or advanced beginner level. CLS Spark provides students the access and opportunity to start their language learning journeys even when critical languages may not be offered on their campuses or when they may have responsibilities that prevent them from studying abroad. Preference is given to applicants from campuses that do not offer their Spark language. 

Key Benefits

• Intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences
• Academic credit and language gains certified on the ACTFL OPI test
• Non-competitive eligibility for U.S. federal jobs
• Admission to a diverse network of U.S. Department of State Exchange Alumni 

The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a program of 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. 

What is a Critical Language?

Critical languages are languages essential to the United States’ national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world, and they tend to be less commonly taught in the United States, or have relatively few proficient speakers. 

Critical language skills and intercultural competence are in demand in a globalized workforce and increase a student’s competitiveness across career fields. 
 

* Offered at all levels, including for beginners with no previous experience in the language.

** The CLS Spark initiative provides virtual instruction of Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian at the absolute beginning level. Applicants must complete one year of prior study to participate in the CLS Program overseas institutes for these languages.

*** CLS Spark offers virtual instruction of Japanese at the beginning and advanced beginning levels. Applicants must complete two years of prior study of Japanese to participate in the CLS Program overseas institute for Japanese.