Summer Language Learning Opportunity - FULLY FUNDED!

Announced on: Thursday, Oct. 05, 2023

We are delighted to announce that the application is now open for the U.S. Department of State's 2024 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, including its virtual initiative, CLS Spark! We welcome all U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to apply now to study a critical language on a funded overseas or virtual summer program.

The application is available at https://clscholarship.org/apply. The deadline for applications is 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.


The CLS Program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. Depending on language and level, U.S. students can either apply for the overseas CLS Program or its virtual program - CLS Spark. The CLS Program offers in-person cohort-based programs at partner institutions abroad that provide instruction at various levels for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in over a dozen critical languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. CLS Spark provides beginner-level virtual instruction to U.S. undergraduate students in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, specifically targeting students whose home campuses do not offer these languages. Information on eligibility is available at https://clscholarship.org/applicants/eligibility.


The CLS Program will host frequent webinars, Q&A sessions, and alumni panels for students and advisors throughout the fall. A full calendar with these events and corresponding registration links is available at: https://clscholarship.org/events.


The CLS Program is sponsored by 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. It is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world. The CLS Program plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.


If you have any questions, please contact the Study Abroad & Exchange Team at studyabroad@csuchico.edu or the CLS Program team at cls@americancouncils.org.