The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The fully-funded program held in country includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains equivalent to one year of college language instruction.

U.S. Citizens; Undergraduate or Graduate level--must be enrolled at time of application. All disciplines.

Deadline: Applications are due in November 2023 -- please contact IP grants for an advising appointment by mid-October

Duration: 8-10 Weeks (Summer Intensive Program)

CLS Application

Upcoming Events

Critical Language Scholarship Information Session promotional image

Critical Language Scholarship Information Session

Thursday, November 2, 2023 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Virtual
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in a summer language program abroad, all expenses paid? Join International Programs for two virtual events to discuss strategies for putting together a successful Critical Language Scholarship application.
 Critical Language Scholarship Writing Workshop promotional image

Critical Language Scholarship Writing Workshop

Friday, November 10, 2023 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Virtual
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in a summer language program abroad, all expenses paid? Join International Programs for two virtual events to discuss strategies for putting together a successful Critical Language Scholarship application.

Want help with your application?

International Programs has dedicated staff to give you tips on how to write a strong application. Make an appointment with Dr. Karen Wachsmuth by completing and returning the Preliminary Application Form to ip-grants@uiowa.edu.

Other resources

Eligible languages and levels

No prior study required: Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Persian, Portuguese, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu

One year of prior study: Arabic, Korean, Russian

Two years of prior study: Chinese, Japanese

Meet an Iowa CLS Winner

Critical Language Scholarship overview from Alex Bare, University of Iowa graduate. Alex’s success with CLS helped him win a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Colombia. 

CLS in the News

Abby Fowler standing in front of Japanese arch in Japan

Upcoming Critical Language Scholarship info session and workshop, Nov 2 & 10

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in a summer language program abroad, all expenses paid?
student with glasses

Ryann Hubbart awarded Critical Language Scholarship for second consecutive year, to study Arabic abroad this summer 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023
International studies and economics student Ryann Hubbart of Clinton, Iowa, has been awarded a 2023 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Arabic in Nizwa, Oman. 
student smiling

Critical Language Scholarship winner Abigail Fowler to study Japanese in Okayama this summer

Wednesday, March 15, 2023
International studies student Abigail Fowler of North Liberty, Iowa, has been awarded a 2023 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study at Okayama University for an intensive Japanese language program.