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.
Languages Offered
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.
Featured Alumni
CLS News and Stories
Announcing the CLS 2021 Finalists
The CLS Program is pleased to announce the results of its 2021 summer competition. We applaud all applicants for the 2021 CLS Program for their commitment to language learning and congratulate the finalists and alternates selected from this impressive pool of students.
Finalists for the...
Posted by Andrew McCullough on March 03, 2021
2020 Alumni Ambassador Year in Review
Despite the unprecedented challenges prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Alumni Ambassadors remained resilient, resourceful, and engaged through the months, working with the alumni community, applicants, finalists, CLS virtual scholars, CLS staff and others in their communities to share...
Posted by Liz Sinclair on January 22, 2021
2021 CLS Alumni Ambassador Application
Are you interested in sharing your experience while supporting and promoting the CLS Program? The application to become a 2021 CLS Alumni Ambassador is now open!
Who are CLS Alumni Ambassadors?CLS Alumni Ambassadors take leadership roles as active and positive representatives of...
Posted by Liz Sinclair on December 02, 2020
Alumni Profile: Marcus Dunn
Marcus Dunn is an alumnus of the 2011 CLS Korean program in Jeonju, South Korea. His summer on the CLS Program followed his final undergraduate year at the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture, where he studied Fine and Studio Arts. He also holds a master’s degree in painting...
Posted by Liz Sinclair on November 24, 2020
CLS in the Press
In Defense of U.S. Education and Cultural Programs
Daniel Bottomley, CLS Alumnus (2012 Indonesian) and Director of Public Diplomacy & Global Initiatives at University of Delaware, makes the case for a renewed focus on international exchange programs promoting mutual understanding within the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Shared from E-International Relations, February 15, 2021
Six students selected as CLS semifinalists
Six University of North Georgia students were recently named semifinalists for the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship Program.
Shared from University of North Georgia Newsroom, February 09, 2021
Three Named as Critical Language Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Three Miami students were named as semi-finalists for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities.
Shared from Miami University Global Initiatives, January 25, 2021