Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
7 to 10 week intensive summer language study and cultural immersion
Eligibility
To be eligible for the CLS Scholarship Program applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application
- Be currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level at the time of application
- Be at least 18 years old by May 15th of the year of the CLS Program
- Current undergraduate students must have completed at least one year of general college course-work by the CLS program start date (one year is defined as two semesters or three quarters)
Applicants may only apply once, for one language program, each summer. Applicants who submit multiple applications will be considered ineligible. Participation is limited to a total of two CLS awards for any individual.
About the Critical Language Scholarship
As part of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), the U.S. State Department's Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) provide funding for U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master’s and Ph.D. students to participate in beginning, intermediate and/or advanced level summer language programs overseas at American Councils for International Education and affiliated partners.
Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.
Participants in the CLS Program are not required to have any experience studying critical languages for most of the languages. However, please note:
One Year of Study Required: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian.
Two Years of Study Required: Japanese.
Programs range from 8 to 10 weeks, beginning in early to mid-June with a pre-departure orientation in the U.S. Students must attend the full program and participate in all program activities. Students in all disciplines including business, engineering, law, medicine, sciences and humanities are encouraged to apply.
The national deadline for the CLS Scholarship Program is usually in mid-November.
CLS Spark Program (Not offered for 2026)*
CLS Spark, an initiative of the CLS Program, provides opportunities for American undergraduate college and university students to study Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Korean virtually at the beginning level for 8 weeks over the summer. Japanese is also offered at the beginning level and for those who have had one year prior language study.
Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning, CLS Spark provides American students the opportunity to study critical languages virtually when they may not have access to studying these languages on their campuses.
CLS Spark offers 10 hours of virtual language instruction per week, as well as monthly cultural activities and professional development workshops and support that are facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad.
Amount Awarded
Round-trip travel, orientation in Washington DC, visa fees, room, board, group-based intensive language instruction, course materials, CLS cultural enrichment activities, small living stipend. Undergraduate academic credit is offered through Bryn Mawr.
Application Process
The Critical Language Scholarship Program does not have a campus process. The national deadline for CLS is usually in November. We encourage you to begin your application early. Fill out the CLS Intent to Apply form for more details from the OGS.
Campus Application Deadline
No campus process.
National Application Deadline
November 18, 2025
Additional Info
Find additional information, including application criteria, on the Critical Language Scholarship Program website.
Find additional information, including application criteria, on the CLS Spark Program site.
CLS also offers many webinar information sessions.