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Critical Language Projects

About the Critical Language Projects

As part of the Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP), program alumni, current exchange teachers, mentor teachers, administrative representatives, and U.S. schools and districts are eligible and encouraged to apply for grants to fund Critical Language Projects (CLPs). These projects may range from $500 to $3,000 and are designed to complement the TCLP experience by contributing to the enhancement of critical language programs in U.S. schools and furthering the teaching of English, Arabic, or Mandarin as a Foreign Language in the home regions of the international alumni. In addition, CLPs promote mutual understanding and lasting relationships between program alumni and their U.S. colleagues.

Application Eligibility
  • Applications may be submitted by: TCLP program alumni, current exchange teachers, current U.S. host school administrator representatives, and current mentor teachers. Grants will be awarded to one recipient as designated by the proposal.
  • Multiple applicants from the same school district may not apply for a total of more than $3,000 of funding within one round.
  • Applicants may not apply while they currently have an open follow-on grant with any U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs (including TCLP, The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) or the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program).
  • Applicants may not be awarded more than two CLP grants within two consecutive years.
  • Applicants may not be awarded more than three total CLP grants.
  • Proposed projects must be implemented in U.S. schools and communities that have hosted an exchange teacher through TCLP or in the home regions of the TCLP international alumni.
  • Submitting separate proposed projects that share or overlap the same project activities and/or benefiting the same participants may make these overlapping applications ineligible.
  • Applicants must submit a complete application packet online, including a completed application form, project proposal, budget and budget narrative, timeline, CVs for project staff, and, as necessary, support letters from participating schools and proposed partners.
Project Provisions
  • Projects must be implemented in the U.S. or in the home region of international alumni;
  • Projects must focus on the teaching and/or learning of critical languages in the U.S. or English/Arabic/Mandarin as a Foreign Language in the home schools of international alumni, and may involve the greater community;
  • Project start dates must fall after the current application deadline;
  • The maximum duration of a proposed project is eight months;
  • Project final reports are due within one month of project completion;
  • Project requests must be between $500 and $3,000;
  • Projects may cover travel costs including: domestic airline tickets, ground transportation, per diem, and hotel costs;
  • International airline tickets may be funded only in exceptional situations;
  • Project funds may not be used for office equipment purchases (e.g. computers, Xerox, printers, etc.), devices that can be used for commercial entertainment (e.g. tablets, IPods, etc.) or building/construction materials;
  • Applicants may not receive salaries or honoraria;
  • Project funds may not be used to support costs associated with substitute teachers;
  • Project applicants may be asked to make changes to their proposed budget prior to final approval of the award; and
  • Demonstrated in-kind donations or cost-sharing (financial or other contributions such as books/materials) by the applicant's school and/or the program alumni are encouraged.

Questions?

Contact American Councils during business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time at:

Email tclp@americancouncils.org
Telephone 202–833–7522(toll free in the USA)

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