Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
2022-23 Application
CLS Spark is a pilot virtual initiative for U.S. undergraduate students to learn languages essential to America's engagement with the world.
Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning developed by the CLS Program during the pandemic, CLS Spark provides American students the access and opportunity to start their language learning journeys even when these critical languages may not be offered on their campuses or when they may have responsibilities that limit their ability to go overseas. Participants will spend an academic year learning either Arabic, Chinese or Russian through online classes and activities facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad.
The 2022-23 CLS Spark application is now available. Applications are due Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
A program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program and CLS Spark are part of a U.S. government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.
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.
You may download a PDF sample copy of the application.
About CLS Spark
For more information on CLS Spark, please visit the CLS Program website.
Contact Us
Contact CLS 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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