A Program of the U.S. Department of State
The summer 2022 application is now closed. The deadline for recommendation letters is November 19, 2021.
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a summer study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world.
The CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers.
Each summer, CLS provides rigorous academic instruction in fifteen languages that are critical to America's national security and economic prosperity. CLS participants are citizen ambassadors, sharing American values and promoting American influence abroad.
Why You Should Study Abroad with the CLS Program
Key Benefits
Develop Key Expertise
The CLS Program provides its scholars intensive language and cultural instruction in an environment designed to maximize their language gains at every level.
Career Ready Skills
Alumni apply their critical language skills in a variety of professional fields in public and private sectors as well as government, helping to support America’s competitiveness across the board.
Citizen Diplomacy
CLS scholars represent the breadth and diversity of the United States. Through personal engagement they help to spread American values and develop mutual understanding with the people of other countries.
Languages Offered
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The CLS Program was instrumental in getting me to the proficiency level required for my career. My employer cited my language skills as one of the main traits that made me an outstanding candidate.
John Krzyzaniak, Persian 2016 -
Just having conversations with people and being open with them about what we did culturally where I’m from; I’ve always wanted to share that with people.
Marcus Dunn, Korean 2011 -
Diplomatic representation of the monolith that is the United States military is very similar to the citizen diplomacy aspect of the CLS Program. You cannot begin to understand culture without the language component. With the CLS Program, you gain authenticity by learning the language.
Andrea Howard, Azerbaijani 2015 -
"I had always been interested in learning about Brazilian culture and Portuguese language and CLS made that a reality for me."
Max Courval, Portuguese 2020
CLS News and Stories
CHamoru Language and Culture with Alumna Emily Wood
From childhood Emily Wood (Indonesian 2018) was interested in understanding her CHamoru heritage. Growing up in a predominantly white area in the continental U.S., however, she had few opportunities. When Emily saw the opportunity to take CHamoru language classes online, she jumped at it. Since…November 19, 2021
2022 Alumni Ambassador Application
Are you interested in sharing your experience while supporting and promoting the CLS Program? The application to become a 2022 CLS Alumni Ambassador is now open! Who are CLS Alumni Ambassadors? CLS Alumni Ambassadors take leadership roles as active and positive representatives of the CLS…November 08, 2021
Meet CLS Hindi Instructor Neelam Singh
Neelam Singh is an instructor for the 2021 CLS Virtual Hindi program hosted by the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). Having worked for AIIS in India for most of her career, Neelam Ji has interacted with well over 1,000 U.S. students who come to Jaipur, India each summer to learn Hindi.…October 05, 2021
CLS in the Press
Where I Lead: Victoria Hightower
Feature on CLS advisor Dr. Victoria Hightower - a professor in the Department of History, Anthropology and Philosophy and Assistant Director of the National Competitive Scholarships (NCS) Office at the University of North Georgia.
Shared from University of North Georgia, November 22, 2021
Pickering Fellowship Provides Pathways to Global Careers
CLS alumnus Colin Walsh (Bangla 2013) reflects on why the disability community should be involved in Department of State fellowships and careers.
Shared from Mobility International USA, October 29, 2021
UOG’s first Critical Language Scholars gain appreciation of heritage and multicultural learning
Lourdes Mafnas (Indonesian 2021) and Monita Paul (Bangla 2021) were the first University of Guam students to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Program. Mafnas, a graduate environmental science student, and Paul, an undergraduate biology major, were chosen for the eight-week program from a pool of 4,600 national applicants.
Shared from University of Guam, October 21, 2021