Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
2025 Application
The 2025 CLS Program application is now available.
Applications are due Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time.
This website will connect you with the online application for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program.
Application PDFs
You may download a detailed set of instructions and PDF versions of the application form to review before starting an application online. All applications should be complete and submitted using the online form, unless otherwise not possible:
About the CLS Program
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive language and cultural immersion group-based program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of a dozen critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
CLS Spark, an initiative of the CLS Program, provides opportunities for American undergraduate college and university students to study Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian virtually at the beginning level, as well as Japanese virtually at the advanced 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 studying these languages on their campuses.
The CLS Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. The program is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.
For more information about the CLS Program, please visit: www.clscholarship.org
Contact Us
Contact CLS Program staff during normal business hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, at:
Email: cls@americancouncils.org
Telephone: USA 877.257.9922 (toll free) / Outside USA (+1) 202.833.7522
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