Boost your language skills with the Critical Language Scholarship!

The application for the Summer 2026 Critical Language Scholarship program is open now with a deadline of 11/18/2025 at 8:00 PM ET.

The CLS Program provides immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.

The CLS Program provides immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity. 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. CLS alumni represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Nine languages are offered this cycle, see each language for any prerequisite study or equivalent learning required: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili

Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program (graduate or undergraduate) at the time of application. The application requires unofficial transcripts, three short essays and a personal statement. Learn more and apply at https://clscholarship.org/

If you have questions or need application support, please contact globalengagement@chatham.edu.