A Program of the U.S. Department of State
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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"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 -
"The Persian language opens a door to a universe of wonders within the collective history of humankind."
Shabbir Abbas, Persian 2020 -
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 -
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
CLS News and Stories
CLS Refresh Spotlight: Liz Adema
Meet 2016 CLS Swahili Scholar and Refresh participant, Liz Adema! Liz participated in the CLS Swahili program in Arusha, Tanzania six years ago and in the time since her motivation to learn Swahili has become even stronger. Liz’s husband is Kenyan and…January 14, 2022
2021 Alumni Ambassador Year in Review
In a second year with challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alumni Ambassadors brought enthusiasm, expertise, and generosity of time to their roles supporting the CLS Program and promoting language study in their communities. We are always grateful to Alumni Ambassadors for their commitme…January 12, 2022
Chinese Language and Identity with Alumna Sarah Sabal
Sarah Sabal is a 2021 alumna of the CLS Chinese virtual program hosted by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan. This past summer, Sarah brought a unique perspective to her cohort as a student with a disability and as a heritage learner of Chinese. Sarah grew up in an orphanage i…December 13, 2021
CLS in the Press
Hannah Cole Receives Presidential Management Fellowship
Hannah Cole
Shared from University of Hawaii at Manoa, January 14, 2022
History graduate student Andrew Howard wins critical language award to study Urdu
Ohio University graduate student Andrew Howard has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Refresh award to study Urdu with the American Institute of India Studies.
Shared from Ohio University, November 30, 2021
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