Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State that provides fully-funded intensive summer language and cultural immersion programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students. The program focuses on languages of strategic importance to United States national security and economic prosperity, including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili. Participants receive the equivalent of one year of language study in eight weeks through intensive language instruction and cultural activities that reinforce both language learning and intercultural competence. Since 2006, the CLS Program has supported over 10,000 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The program develops key language expertise and career-ready skills that alumni apply across public and private sectors as well as government positions. CLS scholars also serve as citizen diplomats, representing the United States and developing mutual understanding with people of other countries through personal engagement.