A Program of the U.S. Department of State
Email Templates
Outreach Email Templates for Students
Subject: Apply Today for the 2023 CLS Program!
Body:
Dear [Student Name],
I’m writing to let you know that the application is now open for the 2023 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. The CLS Program is a fully-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides intensive overseas language and cultural immersion and is open to U.S. students enrolled in all degree programs at [Institution Name].
Through CLS, students spend eight to ten weeks abroad to learn one of 14 critical languages and earn academic credit for their work. The scholarship includes travel expenses, coursework, group excursions, and even a small stipend to cover your daily living expenses. Most languages offered by the CLS Program do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages.
In addition, CLS Spark, a virtual program, provides opportunities for American undergraduate students to study Arabic, Chinese and Russian at the beginning level. CLS Spark was designed to leverage best practices in online language learning and provide the opportunity to study critical languages for students who may not have access to critical languages on their campus or the ability to study abroad.
The CLS Program seeks participants with diverse interests, and from a wide range of fields of study and career paths; students from all academic disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts and humanities are encouraged to apply.
Our office is here to support you in applying for this and other study abroad opportunities! Please [reach out to us to set up an appointment / attend our info session on DATE] if you’re interested in more information, or want help brainstorming how learning a language could benefit your future career!
Subject: CLS Program Information Session
Body:
Dear [Student Name],
I’m writing to let you know that the application is now open for the 2023 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. The CLS Program is a fully-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides intensive overseas language and cultural immersion and is open to U.S. students enrolled at [Institution Name].
Under the CLS Program, CLS Spark, provides virtual opportunities for American undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities to study Arabic, Chinese, and Russian at the beginner level over the summer. Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning, CLS Spark provides participants the opportunity to study critical languages virtually at the absolute beginner level when they may not have access to these languages.
The CLS Program is hosting a series of information sessions for students, including one for [students with no language learning experience / students interested in studying Korean / students at community colleges/ beginner level learners, etc.]. You can check out the full schedule and register to attend one here: https://clscholarship.org/events
If you want to chat about the CLS Program or other funded study abroad opportunities, [reply to this message/click here to schedule an appointment/drop in at this time].
Subject: Your Application for the 2023 CLS Program
Body:
Dear [Student Name],
Our office was recently notified that you have opened an application for the 2023 Critical Language Scholarship Program. Congratulations on taking this step!
Our office has many resources to assist you in developing a competitive application for the CLS Program. Among other things, our office is here to help you:
- Answer questions about the program and its requirements
- Organize your ideas for each of the required essays
- Provide feedback on the essays for your application
If you’re interested in setting up an appointment to go over any of these things, please [reply to this message/click here to schedule an appointment/drop in at this time/come to our application workshop].
Outreach Email Template for Campus Partners
Subject: Funded Study Abroad Opportunity for [Subject/College] Students
Body:
Dear [Faculty Name],
My name is [your name] and I work in [office name]. I’m reaching out to let you know about an opportunity you may wish to share with your students.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a fully-funded study abroad program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides intensive overseas language and cultural immersion. It is open to U.S. students enrolled in all degree programs at [Institution Name], including [faculty department name]. The application for this opportunity opened recently and will close on November 15, 2022.
Through CLS, students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 14 critical languages and earn academic credit for their work. The scholarship includes travel expenses, coursework, group excursions, and a small stipend to cover daily living expenses. Most languages offered by the CLS Program do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages.
In addition, CLS Spark provides opportunities for American undergraduate college and university students to study Arabic, Chinese and Russian virtually at the beginning level. Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning, CLS Spark provides American undergraduate students the opportunity to study critical languages virtually when they may not have access to language learning on their campuses or the ability to study abroad.
I’ve attached a flyer [with more information / with information about our upcoming information session] that I hope you might be willing to share with your students. I would also be interested in visiting some of your classes to talk about this and other opportunities through our office in the first or last 15 minutes of any of your class sessions over the next two weeks. Please let me know if you would be open to this!
Subject: Funded Study Abroad Opportunity for [Department] Students
Body:
Dear [Faculty Name],
My name is [your name] and I work in [office name]. I’m reaching out to let you know about an opportunity you may wish to share with students enrolled in you [specific course listing / faculty-led program name.]
Because of your [interest / research / work] in [region / country], your students may be interested in learning [relevant critical language] we promote through our office. The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a fully-funded study abroad program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that provides intensive overseas language and cultural immersion. It is open to U.S. students enrolled in all degree programs at [Institution Name], including [faculty department name]. The application for this opportunity opened recently and will close on November 15, 2022.
Through CLS, students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 14 critical languages and earn academic credit for their work. The scholarship includes travel expenses, coursework, group excursions, and a small stipend to cover daily living expenses. Most languages offered by the CLS Program do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages.
In addition, CLS Spark provides opportunities for American undergraduate college and university students to study Arabic, Chinese and Russian virtually at the beginning level. Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning, CLS Spark provides American undergraduate students the opportunity to study critical languages virtually when they may not have access to language learning on their campuses or the ability to study abroad.
I’ve attached a flyer [with more information / with information about our upcoming information session] that I hope you might be willing to share with your students. Our office is available to help students with their applications, so you're welcome to also share my contact information.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for your consideration!