10/20/2025
Apply for the Critical Language Scholarship!
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Taking place during the summer, CLS is part of a U.S State Department initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.
Languages offered:
Open to students at all levels, including beginners: Hindi, Persian, Portuguese, and Swahili
One year prior study required: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian
Two years prior study required: Japanese
Who can apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers. Please visit the CLS Institutes page for more information.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, enrolled in an accredited degree-granting program at the time of application, and completed one year of academic study by the beginning of the scholarship.
What’s in it for me?
· 8-10 weeks of intensive language instruction at an overseas institute, fully paid
· Structured cultural enrichment experiences
· Academic credit issued through Bryn Mawr College
What are the next steps?
Attend one of the upcoming CLS Information Sessions via Zoom (registration in the hyperlink):
October 23, 4 PM - CLS Introduction w/Alumni Panel
https://uh-edu-cougarnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/5GTAGD-YTKqIlMOdFDVaVA #/registration
October 29, 3 PM - Writing the Short Answer Responses
https://uh-edu-cougarnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/aHxt0a2nRoqALroJT5x_tA #/registration
November 5, 4 PM - Tackling the Personal Statement
https://uh-edu-cougarnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/wFlwwZUNQraZJSXnnpB2tw #/registration
Current and potential applicants for CLS can request individual advising and feedback on application materials by emailing Dr. Ben Rayder ([email protected]) in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards. The application deadline for CLS is November 18th, 2025.