Critical Language Scholarship Program Overview: Unlock Your Global Potential
The CLS Program delivers intensive summer language instruction to high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students, selected through a competitive, merit-based process. Offered in nine languages overseas or virtually, the program condenses a full academic year of language study into eight weeks of rigorous instruction and cultural immersion. The CLS Program is a U.S. Department of State program and is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education. The CLS Program is committed to expanding access to intensive language instruction and cultural immersion opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds and institutions. American undergraduate and graduate students can apply to study one of nine critical languages through intensive virtual and overseas summer institutes.
Join CLS staff for a live overview of the 2027 CLS Program followed by a question-and-answer session with CLS Program Officers and an alumni ambassador.