Overview
The U.S. Department of State sponsors the Critical Language Scholarship program, which offers fully-funded intensive summer language institutes overseas in 12-14 different languages. Through the CLS program, American college and university students study languages and cultures essential to America’s engagement in the world. Approximately 600 scholarships are awarded annually to American undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application
- Be at least 18 years old by mid-May of program year
- Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level at the time of application.
- Meet the language requirements of the program to which you apply
- May only apply once, for one language, each year
Selection Criteria
Critical Language Scholarship selection criteria include:
- Commitment to language learning
- Connection between selected language and persona / professional goals
- Preparation for the CLS program
- Adaptability, sensitivity, and resilience
- Contribution to the CLS program and program goals
Application Materials
- · Online application that includes:
- Application form with eligibility, biographical, and academic information
- Three short essays of 200-300 words
- Short responses regarding your experience with the language
- Statement of purpose of 500 words
- Transcript
Application Procedure
National Application Deadline – November 2024 for Summer 2025 program
You are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Fellowship Office at fellowships@osu.edu for support on your application. However, because this is a direct-apply award, you are not required to work with our office.
Past Critical Language Scholars
- 2022-2023 - Rahman Anjum
- 2022-2023 - Matthew Steinhauer
- 2022-2023 - Jack Swartz
- 2021-2022 - Alyssa Belcher
- 2021-2022 - Larkin Cleland
- 2021-2022 - Zachery Hardman
- 2021-2022 - Bailee Wolfe
- 2021-2022 - Katherine Zu
- 2020-2021 - Ruth Elendu
- 2020-2021 - Henry Hinton
- 2020-2021 - Owen Morrish
- 2020-2021 - Addie Mykel
- 2020-2021 - Emily Nothnagle
- 2020-2021 - Emma Siefring
- 2019-2020 - Larkin Cleland
- 2019-2020 - Henry Hinton
- 2019-2020 - Abbie Levine
- 2019-2020 - Audrey Montgomery
- 2018-2019 - Kaitlin Acton
- 2018-2019 - Faraz Ansari
- 2018-2019 - Natalie Antonk
- 2018-2019 - Franklin Keller III
- 2018-2019 - Natalie Majidzadeh
- 2018-2019 - Jacqueline Roman
- 2018-2019 - Helina Solomon
- 2018-2019 - Tyler Balon
- 2017-2018 - Maya Bullock
- 2017-2018 - Rachel Dalke
- 2017-2018 - Matthew Loxley
- 2017-2018 - Daphne-Jane Ocran
- 2017-2018 - Meilenys Peraza
- 2017-2018 - Charlotte Sperl
- 2017-2018 - Van Vandergriff
- 2017-2018 - Feven Weldemicael
- 2016-2017 - Miriam Gochnauer
- 2016-2017 - Caitriona Techman
- 2016-2017 - Meilenys Peraza
- 2016-2017 - Timothy Bernstrom
- 2016-2017 - Caleb Herrmann
- 2015-2016 - Eleanor Fahs
- 2015-2016 - Samuel Henry
- 2015-2016 - Kalie Kilner
- 2015-2016 - Mircea Lazar
- 2015-2016 - Olivia Nejedlik
- 2015-2016 - Shelby Powers
- 2015-2016 - Catherine Smith
- 2014-2015 - Ezra Baker
- 2014-2015 - Steven Elzein
- 2014-2015 - Shannon Fillingim
- 2014-2015 - Meagan Jones
- 2014-2015 - Harrison Levy
- 2014-2015 - Noah Nguyen
- 2014-2015 - Emily Schueller
- 2014-2015 - Robin Smith
- 2013-2014 - Marisa Lally
- 2013-2014 - Joseph Lee
- 2013-2014 - Jayan Nair
- 2013-2014 - Tyler Parker
- 2013-2014 - Mark Sandel
- 2013-2014 - Asha Underiner
- 2012-2013 - Vyacheslav Dade
- 2012-2013 - William Dean
- 2012-2013 - Matthew Eng
- 2012-2013 - Christina Green
- 2012-2013 - Mack Lorden
- 2012-2013 - Alifia Merchant
- 2012-2013 - Tyler Shankel
- 2012-2013 - Blythe Worstell
- 2011-2012 - Yuri Doolan
- 2011-2012 - Sanya Dosani
- 2011-2012 - Lauren Kowalik
- 2011-2012 - Peter Marzalik
- 2011-2012 - Kyle Olson
- 2011-2012 - Michael Orvets
- 2011-2012 - Elizabeth Pillion
- 2011-2012 - Julianna Poole
- 2011-2012 - Jennifer Ravi
- 2011-2012 - Cory Sabet
- 2011-2012 - Jacob Somerlot
- 2011-2012 - Dina Tayim
- 2010-2011 - David Agranovich
- 2010-2011 - Christina Flores
- 2010-2011 - Jaime Gusching
- 2009-2010 - Luella Teresa Albuquerque Canarsky
- 2009-2010 - Sofia Bachman
- 2009-2010 - Andrea Davis
- 2009-2010 - Leighton Garrett
- 2009-2010 - Jaime Gusching
- 2009-2010 - Kenneth Hensley
- 2008-2009 - Breanna Bowlin
- 2008-2009 - Megan Cairns
- 2008-2009 - Christina Cromlish
- 2008-2009 - Andrea Davis
- 2008-2009 - Samantha McGuire
- 2007-2008 - John Bolam
- 2007-2008 - Evan Cummins
- 2007-2008 - Ranya Elzein
- 2007-2008 - Jennifer Scheaffer
- 2006-2007 - Evan Cummins
- 2006-2007 - Nicole Holliday
- 2006-2007 - Erik Schumann
- 2006-2007 - Heather Sweetser
- 2006-2007 - Theresa Yoon