Substantial U.S. government scholarships available for studying languages abroad

The U.S. State Department invites SU students interested in studying foreign languages this summer to apply for the Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS). CLS provides generous awards for the study of 13 languages deemed critical to U.S. national interests at special language institutes abroad. Undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D candidates are eligible. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, and the application deadline is Nov. 15. To apply, visit https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=CAORC.

“I participated in the CLS program in the summer of 2008, studying advanced Russian in Tomsk, Russia,” says Erin Cole, a Maxwell School graduate student. “I highly recommend the program. It’s an excellent opportunity to do an immersion language program in-country. All expenses were paid, including travel, visas, housing (we were home-hosted, which was great), some meals and cultural activities in-country. We also received a weekly stipend for other living expenses.”

There are other options as well. Undergraduates and graduates interested in studying during the 2011-12 academic year can qualify for Boren Awards and Fellowship Programs (U.S. government scholarship programs that support study of more than 60 languages in more than 80 countries). Awards for undergraduates are up to $10,000 per semester; or $20,000 for the academic year. SU campus deadlines are Jan. 15, 2011 (for graduate students) and Feb. 1, 2011 (for undergraduates).

“Students interested in studying at SU Abroad centers in Beijing, Istanbul or Santiago, Chile, in Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 should apply for Boren funding, especially if they are interested in a career in the foreign service or another branch of government,” says Sue Shane, director of programs at SU Abroad, “Many of SU’s World Partners programs in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia also fit the Boren’s geographic and language requirements.”

Another U.S.-government scholarship is the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) Program. This program supports the study of less commonly studied languages, including Polish, Italian and Portuguese. Summer fellowship applications are due Feb. 12, and 2011-12 academic year applications are due March 12. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/moynihan/ces/Funding_Opportunities/.