The application for the 2021 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is now open! We welcome your students to apply now to learn a critical foreign language next summer on a fully-funded study abroad program. 

The application is now live and available online at:  https://www.clscholarship.org/apply 

Applications are due Tuesday, November 17, 2020 by 8:00pm EST.  

The CLS Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. Most languages offered by the CLS Program (9 of 15) do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages. 

CLS, a program of the U.S. Department of State, 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. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century’s globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness. 

The CLS Program offers instruction in the following languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. Resources for advisors are available on our web site: https://clscholarship.org/advisors 

CLS Japanese Information Session is scheduled for October 6, 2020 at 2pm EST. You can register to join this event at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rzLPJcf9R5yC8kF6lHCKjA

CLS staff will host a series of webinars over the coming weeks for anyone who is interested in learning more about the program. Full calendar and registration links here: https://clscholarship.org/events