Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Grant

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, offers U.S. students the opportunity to immerse themselves in language and culture in countries where critical languages are spoken. Participants gain comprehensive support for travel, instruction, and cultural activities. The program seeks motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging commitment to language learning and future application of these skills. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and enrolled in a degree program.

Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (URF) fosters a culture of undergraduate research and creative endeavor—broadly defined—at Northeastern University.
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program partners with universities and nonprofits around the globe to provide cohorts of U.S. students an opportunity to study the language and culture in a country/location where the target language is commonly spoken. CLS scholars are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers.
Most languages offered by the CLS Program do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages. Participants are selected based on their commitment to language learning and plans to apply their language skills to their future academic or professional pursuits.
Award Benefits
Please note that U.S. passport fees will not be paid by the scholarship, and you will be required to cover transportation to and from your U.S. home address and the airport for CLS Program travel. Selected applicants must have a valid U.S. passport.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CLS Program applicants must:Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application.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.Applicants must be enrolled in a program that results in a degree. 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 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 2023.Applicants must be enrolled at this institution in the fall term of 2022. There are limited exceptions to the enrollment requirement; please read the following information carefully:If applicants are not taking classes at their home institution in the fall term, they should confirm that they are, in fact, enrolled. Institutions have different requirements to maintain enrollment status and applicants will be required to provide a signed letter from their registrar stating that you were enrolled during the fall term.If applicants are taking a leave of absence to participate in an organized term- or year-long study abroad 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 two cases, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.In either case, applicants must submit a signed letter from their home college or university in the U.S. explaining their situation and their intent to re-enroll following the completion of their study abroad or internship program. They must also submit documentation from the program provider explaining the opportunity and confirming their participation. This documentation may be submitted to American Councils by email at cls@americancouncils.org.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 must meet the language requirements of the program to which they apply.Applicants may only apply once, for one language, each year. Selected applicants must have a valid U.S. passport.

Ineligibility

Others, including Permanent Residents, are not eligible, even if they anticipate naturalization by the beginning of the program.Applicants who are taking stand-alone or continuing education classes are not eligible.Applicants who submit multiple applications will be considered ineligible.The following persons are ineligible:
Employees of the U.S. Department of State who work in offices under the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment;
Employees of private and public agencies under contract or grant with the U.S. Department of State who perform services related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program, for a period ending one year following the termination of their services; or
Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of the individuals described in the above paragraphs, for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment or service. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents.These provisions do not extend to part-time or temporary employees, consultants, or interns of the U.S. Department of State (including at U.S. Embassies and Consulates), or to contract employees of the U.S. Department of State, unless such persons perform services related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program.