Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
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Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship program has officially concluded.
However, limited funding is currently available to support Summer 2026 language study for certain world areas. For more information, contact:
Summer 2026
FLAS Fellowship for Graduate Students
Program
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide funding to students to encourage the study of critical and less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies or international aspects of professional studies. These fellowships are funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The purpose of the FLAS program is to promote the training of students who intend to make their careers in college or university teaching, government service, or other employment where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is essential.
Graduate students wishing to use an award for a formal study abroad program must be at the intermediate or advanced level of language proficiency. Prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education is required for all FLAS language study abroad.
Graduate students may apply for an award for beginning level language study if they have achieved advanced proficiency in another language in the same world area, and if learning a second language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise. Any requests to pursue beginning level study must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of the award. A graduate student may only study abroad at the beginning level if a beginning language program in the target language is not available in the U.S.
The summer FLAS award should provide each fellow with the equivalent of a full academic year’s worth of language instruction. Students at the intermediate level (or beginning level, if approved) must have at least 140 contact hours while advanced students must have at least 120 contact hours of language study. All language instruction programs must meet for a minimum of 6 weeks. Summer awards are not available for dissertation research or writing.
Bulletins and applications for Summer Session at UC Berkeley are available online. Summer FLAS Fellowships may be awarded for intensive language study at other universities, including foreign universities, with prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Students are responsible for meeting admission and registration deadlines, if applicable.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be students and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must be accepted for fall enrollment or currently enrolled at the university. Students who will graduate in May are not eligible for a summer FLAS award. Students in programs that combine modern language training with 1) area or international studies, or 2) research and training in the international aspects of professional or other fields of study, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are encouraged to apply.
Lowest consideration is given to:
- students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought; and
- students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
UC Berkeley may fund a student from another institution to take a language course here at Berkeley. Applicants may apply for an award to take a summer language course at another FLAS-granting institution in the U.S. Students are responsible for meeting admission and registration deadlines for these summer programs. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant world area center regarding specific languages of interest and possible summer programs before submitting an application.
FAFSA
Competitive preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA.
Award
The Summer FLAS Fellowship covers language program fees up to $5,000 and provides a stipend of $3,500.
Application
FLAS Fellowships are awarded competitively on merit basis through an annual fellowship competition administered by the Title VI National Resource Center. The deadline is Monday, February 2, 2026.
The application requirements are:
- Online application
- Language program information
- Statement of purpose of no more than 1,000 words, outlining your academic plans, career goals and area of specialization, and providing any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your application. You must indicate what relevance the study of the language of application has to the preparation to your academic program, chosen career and/or future goals.
- Transcript(s)
- One letter of recommendation
- Submission Summary from the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For more information, contact the appropriate Title VI National Resource Center.
FLAS Fellowship for Undergraduate Students
Program
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide funding to students to encourage the study of critical and less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies or international aspects of professional studies. These fellowships are funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The purpose of the FLAS program is to promote the training of students who intend to make their careers in college or university teaching, government service, or other employment where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is essential.
Summer FLAS Fellowships are available to undergraduate students at the intermediate or advanced level of a critical or less commonly taught language. Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details relevant to the proposed language of study.
The summer FLAS award should provide each fellow with the equivalent of a full academic year’s worth of language instruction. Students at the intermediate level must have at least 140 contact hours, while advanced students must have at least 120 contact hours of language study. All language instruction programs must meet for a minimum of 6 weeks. Undergraduate students may use an award for a formal study abroad program at the intermediate or advanced level of a critical or less commonly taught language. Prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education is required for all FLAS language study abroad. Summer awards are not available for research.
Bulletins and applications for Summer Session at UC Berkeley are available online. Summer FLAS Fellowships may be awarded for intensive language study at other universities, including foreign universities, with prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Students are responsible for meeting admission and registration deadlines, if applicable.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be students and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must be accepted for fall enrollment or currently enrolled at the university. Students who will graduate in May are not eligible for a summer FLAS award. Students in programs that combine modern language training with 1) area or international studies, or 2) research and training in the international aspects of professional or other fields of study, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are encouraged to apply.
Lowest consideration is given to:
- students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought; and
- students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
UC Berkeley may fund a student from another institution to take a language course here at Berkeley. Applicants may apply for an award to take a summer language course at another FLAS-granting institution in the U.S. Students are responsible for meeting admission and registration deadlines for these summer programs. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant world area center regarding specific languages of interest and possible summer programs before submitting an application.
FAFSA
Competitive preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA.
Award
The Summer FLAS Fellowship covers language program fees up to $5,000 and provides a stipend of $3,500.
Application
FLAS Fellowships are awarded competitively on merit basis through an annual fellowship competition administered by the Title VI National Resource Center. The deadline is Monday, February 2, 2026.
The application requirements are:
- Online application
- Language program information
- Statement of purpose of no more than 1,000 words, outlining your academic plans, career goals and area of specialization, and providing any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your application. You must indicate what relevance the study of the language of application has to the preparation to your academic program, chosen career and/or future goals.
- Transcript(s)
- One letter of recommendation
- Submission Summary from the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For more information, contact the appropriate Title VI National Resource Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I look for when researching language programs?
The summer FLAS award should provide each fellow with the equivalent of a full academic year’s worth of language of instruction. Programs should be a minimum of 6 weeks in length. Students at the beginning and intermediate levels are expected to attend programs offering a minimum of 140 contact hours, while advanced students need 120 hours of instruction.
Q: How do I obtain approval of my language program from the U.S. Department of Education?
The appropriate Title VI National Resource Center is responsible for seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Education after you have accepted the fellowship offer. You are strongly advised not to make irrevocable travel arrangements prior to receiving official approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Q: I am a first-year graduate student. What transcripts do I submit?
Provide photocopies of your undergraduate transcript as well as any transcripts for graduate course work taken. Be sure to cross out your social security number if it is on your transcript.
Q: Do I need to submit a FAFSA to apply for a FLAS Fellowship?
Competitive preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA by the time of application. Include with your application Page 1 of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Q: When will I expect to hear that I received the summer FLAS?
Awards will be announced in April.
Q: What should I look for when researching language programs?
The summer FLAS award should provide each fellow with the equivalent of a full academic year’s worth of language of instruction. Programs should be a minimum of 6 weeks in length. Students at the intermediate level are expected to attend programs offering a minimum of 140 contact hours, while advanced students need 120 hours of instruction.
Q: How do I obtain approval of my language program from the U.S. Department of Education?
The Title VI National Resource Center is responsible for seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Education after you have accepted the fellowship offer. You are strongly advised not to make irrevocable travel arrangements prior to receiving official approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Q: I am an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley. Can I apply for a summer FLAS?
Yes. Undergraduate students may also apply for a summer FLAS if they are at the intermediate or advanced level of study of a less commonly taught language, which is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as any language other than English, Spanish, German, or French. Because not all world area centers offer summer FLAS to undergraduates, consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details relevant to the proposed language of study.
Q: Do I need to submit a FAFSA to apply for a FLAS Fellowship?
Competitive preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA by the time of application. Include with your application Page 1 of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Q: When do I expect to hear that I have received the summer FLAS?
Awards will be announced in April.