Deadline: 02-Jun-21
The Office of Global Educational Programs of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the FY 2022 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program for one or more award recipients to support the participation of a minimum of 575 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students in overseas summer language institutes and virtual language institutes.
The CLS Program is a component of the U.S. Department of State’s effort to increase the number of Americans who learn critical foreign languages in support of the U.S. foreign policy goals of bolstering national security; promoting U.S. competitiveness and economic prosperity; and building mutual understanding with critical regions of the world.
Purpose
- The CLS Program is designed to increase the number of Americans who learn critical foreign languages in support of the U.S. foreign policy goals of increasing national security and promoting economic competitiveness.
- Global competencies for Americans, especially foreign language skills, are essential in engaging foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical world regions, in order to promote mutual understanding, solve complex multi-national issues, and advance American interests abroad.
Goals of the CLS Program
- To develop a cadre of diverse Americans with advanced linguistic skills and related cultural understanding who are able to advance international dialogue, bolster national security, contribute to U.S. economic prosperity, and build mutual understanding;
- To improve the ability of Americans to engage with the people of other countries in the language of the host country; and
- To develop additional overseas critical language study capacity for U.S. students.
Funding Information
- Approximate Total Funding: $9,000,000, pending the availability of funds.
- Approximate Number of Awards: One or more.
- Approximate Average Award: $9,000,000, pending the availability of funds.
- Floor of Award Range: None.
- Ceiling of Award Range: 9,000,000, pending the availability of funds.
Expected Program Outcomes
- Participants will demonstrate a substantive, measurable increase in language proficiency (oral comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing), as verified through pre- and post-program assessment utilizing a widely-recognized, standardized language assessment tool for oral proficiency.
- Participants will demonstrate a deeper understanding of the host country’s society, institutions, and culture.
- Participants will share American culture with their overseas peers, host families, and other members of the host community.
- Alumni will continue their language learning, apply their linguistic skills in their academic, career, and volunteer activities, and/or participate in other exchanges and educational activities to further their language learning and application.
- Alumni will share their overseas experiences with others in their home educational institutions and communities.
- Host country capacity to support language study by U.S. students will be increased through teacher training and experience in working with CLS participants.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition.
- Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application.
- All applicants must also have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and be registered in SAM.gov
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332293
