Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an immersive summer opportunity for university students to learn languages essential to the United States' engagement with the world.

Each summer, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities across the country spend eight to ten weeks learning one of nine languages at an intensive study abroad institute. The CLS Program is designed to promote rapid language gains and essential intercultural fluency in regions that are critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

The Critical Language Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. It is supported in its implementation by the American Councils for International Education.

Languages offered: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili

Application Details

CLS Deadline: November 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM EST

To learn more, visit the CLS website applicant resources page here .

Advising and Support

The U-M International Institute Fellowships & Grants team provides advising and support for CLS applicants. To schedule an appointment with an II advisor, please visit the advising calendar and select an open day/time.

CLS Events and Advisor Office Hours: See upcoming events and CLS advisor hours here.

Eligibility Criteria 

Carefully review the full list of eligibility criteria here: clscholarship.org/applicants/eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application.
• Be at least 18 years old by May 15
• Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) or graduate (master's, doctoral, professional degree) level at the time of application.
• Applicants in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor's) must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters) by the beginning of the CLS Program. 
• Applicants may only apply once, for one language, each year. Applicants who submit multiple applications will be considered ineligible.

Language Levels and Prerequisites

The 2026 CLS Program provides instruction in nine critical languages. When applying for the CLS Program, applicants must select the level at which they intend to study. If you are currently enrolled in college-level language courses, choose the level you will achieve by the summer.

CLS Selection Criteria & Timeline

Applicants will be notified by email in late January with the status of their application following the initial review process. Applicants who move past the initial review process will be notified of their status as a scholarship recipient, alternate, or non-recipient in early March.

Selection Criteria

Applications for the CLS program are reviewed by independent evaluators, consisting of language faculty, area specialists, international education professionals, and program alumni.

Applicants are selected based on:

• Commitment to language learning
• Preparation for and alignment with program expectations
• Contribution to citizen diplomacy and national impact
• Connection between language and academic and professional goals

All other factors being equal, CLS gives preference to veterans of the US armed forces. 

2025 CLS Spark virtual initiative who maintain eligibility and apply for the same language receive automatic semifinalist status.