FLAS Fellowships by Application Term

Academic Year 2024 – 2025

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.

At UC Berkeley, funding for FLAS Fellowships is available from Title VI National Resource Centers representing various world areas: East Asia, Latin America and the CaribbeanRussia/Eastern Europe/Eurasia, South AsiaSoutheast Asia, and Western Europe.

FLAS Fellowships are awarded to graduate students for:

  • A formal UC Berkeley or overseas academic program of full-time study during the academic year, including language and area/international studies courses. FLAS recipients must undertake full-time study during the tenure of the award and must be enrolled in a language course and an area/international studies course each semester during the 2023 – 2024 academic year. These courses must be taken for letter grades. Graduate students must be in the intermediate or advanced study of a critical or less commonly taught language to receive a fellowship.
    • An exception might be made for the beginning level of a critical or less commonly taught language if a graduate student has achieved advanced proficiency in another language of the world area of specialization, and if learning a second language of that world area is required for the student’s overall training and expertise. Prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education is required for exceptions to beginning level study and for all FLAS language study abroad.

Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details relevant to the proposed language of study.

  • Dissertation research abroad or on campus during the academic year. Depending upon the world area center, dissertation research abroad or on campus during the academic year may be possible. Only students who are at the advanced level of language proficiency may propose to use a FLAS award for dissertation research. Students must be advanced to candidacy by the beginning of the fall semester. The use of language in dissertation research must be extensive enough to consider the foreign language improvement facilitated by the research equal to the improvement that would be obtained from a full academic year’s worth of formal classroom instruction.
    • Since the legislative intent of the FLAS program is language acquisition, use of the FLAS fellowship for dissertation research is not encouraged by the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education prefers that students apply for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program. Prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education is required for dissertation research abroad.

Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details regarding the possibility of dissertation research abroad.


Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be students and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. 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 are encouraged to apply.

Graduate students must be applying to study a language at the intermediate or advanced level to receive a fellowship. An exception might be made for beginning study if a graduate student has 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.

Lowest consideration is given to:

      1. students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought, including dissertators
      2. students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish
      3. students applying for dissertation research or writing as opposed to students applying for language acquisition

Fellowships may not be used for the study of ancient and classical languages.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant world area center regarding specific languages of interest before submitting an application.


FAFSA

Competitive preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA.


Award

For graduate students, the Academic Year FLAS Fellowship will cover registration fees up to $18,000 and provide a stipend of $20,000.


Application

FLAS Fellowships are awarded competitively on merit basis through an annual fellowship competition administered by the Title VI National Resource Centers. The deadline is Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The application requirements are:

      • Online application
      • ­­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)
      • Two letters of recommendation
      • Page 1 of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the 2024-2025 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.

At UC Berkeley, funding for undergraduate FLAS Fellowships is available from Title VI National Resource Centers representing various world and thematic areas, including:  Latin America and the Caribbean, Russia/Eastern Europe/Eurasia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe.

FLAS Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students for a formal UC Berkeley or overseas academic program of full-time study during the academic year, including language and area/international studies courses. FLAS recipients must undertake full-time study during the tenure of the award and must be enrolled in a language course and an area/international studies course each semester during the 2023 – 2024 academic year. These courses must be taken for letter grades. Undergraduate students must be in the intermediate or advanced study of a critical or less commonly taught language to receive a fellowship.

Depending upon world area, undergraduate students may use an award only 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.

Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details relevant to the proposed language of study.


Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be students and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. 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 are encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate students may only apply for a FLAS award to study at the intermediate or advanced level of a critical or less commonly taught language. Undergraduate FLAS awards cannot be used to support language study at the beginning level.

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.

Undergraduate FLAS awards may only be given for the intermediate or advanced study of a critical or less commonly taught language. Eligibility for undergraduate FLAS awards and additional requirements vary by language and world area. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant world area center regarding specific languages of interest before submitting an application.


FAFSA

Competitive preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA.


Award

The Academic Year FLAS Fellowship will cover registration fees up to $10,000 and provide a stipend of $5,000. If you receive financial aid, you are advised to contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to discuss the impact an Undergraduate FLAS Fellowship may have on your financial aid package.


Application

FLAS Fellowships are awarded competitively on merit basis through an annual fellowship competition administered by the Title VI National Resource Centers. Incoming undergraduate students are ineligible to apply for FLAS Fellowships. The deadline is Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The application requirements for Berkeley undergraduates are:

      • Online application
      • ­­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)
      • Two letters of recommendation
      • Page 1 of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For more information, contact the appropriate Title VI National Resource Center.

Summer 2024

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.

At UC Berkeley, funding for FLAS Fellowships is provided by seven Title VI National Resource Centers representing various world areas, including: Africa, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Russia/Eastern Europe/Eurasia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe. Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details relevant to the proposed language of study.

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 at a program in the U.S. 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.

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. Summer awards are not available for dissertation 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 awardStudents 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:

  1. students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought; and
  2. students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, 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 Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The application requirements are:

  1. Online application
  2. Language program information
  3. ­­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.
  4. Transcript(s)
  5. One letter of recommendation
  6. Page 1 of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the 2024-2025 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.

At UC Berkeley, funding for FLAS Fellowships is provided by Title VI National Resource Centers representing various world areas, including: Latin America and the Caribbean, Russia/Eastern Europe/Eurasia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe.

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 awardStudents 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:

  1. students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought; and
  2. students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Chinese, Japanese, Russian, 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 Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The application requirements are:

  1. Online application
  2. Language program information
  3. ­­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.
  4. Transcript(s)
  5. One letter of recommendation
  6. Page 1 of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For more information, contact the appropriate Title VI National Resource Center.

Title VI National Resource Centers

University of California, Berkeley

Institute of East
Asian Studies

1995 University Avenue,
Suite 510
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Telephone: 510-642-2809
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic Year

Awards are available for UC Berkeley graduate students only. East Asian languages currently eligible for FLAS awards are Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, and Tibetan.

Low priority is given to students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Exceptions will only be considered if the student has already achieved competence in another East Asian language and the project statement adequately demonstrates the need to study the second language. Students are not eligible for FLAS awards in classical Chinese or Japanese.

Applications to study or pursue dissertation research abroad during the academic year are not available for East Asia; students should explore opportunities with the Fulbright program for research abroad.


Summer

Awards are available for UC Berkeley graduate students only. East Asian languages currently eligible for FLAS awards are Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, and Tibetan.

Low priority is given to students who are taking the first 12 semester hours or the equivalent in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Exceptions will only be considered if the student has already achieved competence in another East Asian language and the project statement adequately demonstrates the need to study the second language. Students are not eligible for FLAS awards in classical Chinese or Japanese.

Applications to study or pursue dissertation research abroad during the summer are not available for East Asia; students should explore opportunities with the Fulbright program for research abroad.

Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies
260 Stephens Hall #2304
Berkeley, CA 94720-2304
Telephone: 510-643-6736
E-mail: [email protected]
Academic Year—Graduate Students

Languages offered include Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Eligible graduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Priority is given to students who are pursuing advanced-level language proficiency in these languages, to students demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service, and/or to students pursuing Master’s degrees in the professional schools.

Heritage speakers may apply, but applicants who already possess native fluency in a language are ineligible to apply to study that language and should consider applying to study a different language. Awards may be given for beginner-level study, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants for beginning level must already have advanced proficiency in another language related to the student’s field of study and demonstrate that learning the new language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.

Dissertation Awards (“Dissertation Research Abroad” and “Dissertation Writing at Home”) are allowed. Only doctoral candidates at an advanced level of the language of study proposed qualify for this type of award. Candidates must use the language(s) in their dissertation research or writing. These awards, especially writing awards, are intended to support students as they complete their dissertations and earn their degrees.

Jury members look for commitment to the world area and academic field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding. In certain cases, FLAS fellowships may be used for language study abroad during an academic year. Contact ISEEES Executive Director Jeff Pennington ([email protected]) for specifics if you wish to consider using an Academic Year FLAS abroad, for dissertation research abroad, for dissertation writing, or to study at the beginning level.

Academic Year—Undergraduate Students

FLAS awards are open to undergraduates studying a Slavic, East European, or Eurasian language at the Continuing, Intermediate, or Advanced level. Languages funded include Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. To be eligible, an undergraduate student must have completed at least one year of study of the target language at UC Berkeley by the start of the fellowship.

Eligible students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, and applications from students in pre-professional programs and in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are encouraged. Priority is given to students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency in these languages, to students demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service, and/or to students demonstrating likelihood of continuing language and area studies beyond the fellowship period. Heritage speakers may apply, but applicants who already possess native fluency in a language are ineligible to apply to study that language and should consider applying to study a different language.

Jury members look for commitment to the area and field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding. FLAS fellowships may be used to fund academic year study abroad pending approval of the study abroad program by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact ISEEES Executive Director Jeff Pennington ([email protected]) for specifics if you wish to consider using an Academic Year FLAS for study abroad.


Summer — Graduate Students

Languages funded include Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Applications for summer study of other Slavic, East European, Eurasian, Caucasus, or Central Asian languages are possible, pending approval of the language program by the U.S. Department of Education.

Eligible graduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Priority is given to students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency in these languages, to students pursuing Master’s degrees in the professional schools, and/or students demonstrating likelihood of entering government service as a career.

Heritage speakers may apply, but applicants who already possess native fluency in a language are ineligible to apply to study that language and should consider applying to study a different language. Awards may be given for beginner-level study, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants for beginning level must already have advanced proficiency in another language related to the student’s field of study and demonstrate that learning the new language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.

Jury members look for commitment to the world area and academic field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding. Applications are not accepted for dissertation research abroad.

Students are encouraged to take languages not available at UC Berkeley through the use of a summer FLAS at an institution that has a FLAS-eligible program. UC Berkeley students are encouraged to pursue summer study at the Indiana University Summer Language Workshop (https://languageworkshop.indiana.edu/); the Slavic, East European, and Near Eastern Summer Language Institute at the University of Pittsburgh (https://www.sli.pitt.edu/); the Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute (https://melikian.asu.edu/cli); or the Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (https://cessi.wisc.edu/), if the desired language and level are offered.

Students wishing to use an award for an overseas language program must be at the intermediate or advanced level of language proficiency, or at the beginning level if a beginning language program in the target language is not available in the U.S. Summer FLAS for language study abroad requires U.S. Department of Education approval of the instructional program and travel itinerary. Depending upon availability of funds, Summer FLAS awards sometimes have provision for up to $1000 in travel assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must provide a travel itinerary which adheres to the Fly America Act.

Contact ISEEES Executive Director Jeff Pennington ([email protected]) for specifics if you wish to apply to study at the beginning level and/or you wish to apply for a language not specifically listed above.

Summer — Undergraduate Students

Summer FLAS awards are available to undergraduates studying a Slavic, East European, or Eurasian language at the Continuing, Intermediate, or Advanced level. Languages funded include Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. To be eligible, an undergraduate student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language at UC Berkeley by the start of the fellowship.

Eligible students in any discipline and department may apply for a FLAS fellowship, and applications from students in pre-professional programs and in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are encouraged. Priority is given to students who are pursuing advanced-level language proficiency in these languages, and/or students demonstrating likelihood of entering government service as a career. Heritage speakers may apply, but applicants who already possess native fluency in a language are ineligible to apply to study that language and should consider applying to study a different language. Jury members look for commitment to the world area and academic field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding.

Students are encouraged to take languages not available at UC Berkeley through the use of a summer FLAS at an institution that has a FLAS eligible program. UC Berkeley students are encouraged to pursue summer study at the Indiana University Summer Language Workshop (https://languageworkshop.indiana.edu/); the Slavic, East European, and Near Eastern Summer Language Institute at the University of Pittsburgh (https://www.sli.pitt.edu/); the Arizona State University Critical Languages Institute (https://melikian.asu.edu/cli); or the Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (https://cessi.wisc.edu/), if the desired language and level are offered.

Students wishing to use an award for an overseas language program must be at the Continuing, Intermediate, or Advanced level of language proficiency. Summer FLAS for language study abroad requires U.S. Department of Education approval of the instructional program and travel itinerary. Depending upon availability of funds, Summer FLAS awards sometimes have provision for up to $1000 in travel assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must provide a travel itinerary which adheres to the Fly America Act.

Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
2334 Bowditch Street #2312
Berkeley, CA 94720-2312
Telephone: 510-642-2088
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic Year

FLAS awards for the academic year are available for Spanish, Portuguese, Nahuatl, and less-commonly taught languages (LCTLs). Eligible graduate and undergraduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Priority will be given to students seeking to study Portuguese or other LCTLs in advanced levels of language study. Students must demonstrate a commitment to the world area (not Latinx populations in the U.S.) and to their field in the next stage of their professional or academic careers.

FLAS grants cannot be awarded for beginning level language training, and to be eligible for FLAS, a student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. However, exceptions might be made for graduate students at the beginning level of a LCTL if the graduate student has already achieved advanced proficiency in a Latin American or Caribbean language, and if the graduate student can demonstrate that learning another language is required for his/her overall training and expertise.

Undergraduate students CANNOT receive a FLAS award for Spanish, and are not eligible to receive FLAS for beginning level language study.

Students may apply for funding for languages beyond Spanish, Portuguese, and Nahuatl if they provide a plan for a full year of language training and area studies according to FLAS guidelines. The proposed plans will require approval from the U.S. Department of Education. In certain cases, FLAS fellowships may be used for language study abroad during an academic year.

Dissertation Awards (“Dissertation Research Abroad” and “Dissertation Writing at Home”) are allowed. Only doctoral candidates at an advanced level of the language of study proposed qualify for this type of award. Candidates must use the language(s) in their dissertation research or writing. These awards, especially writing awards, are intended to support students as they complete their dissertations and earn their degrees.

For questions regarding the availability of specific languages and student eligibility, please contact the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.


Summer

FLAS awards for the academic year are available for Spanish, Portuguese, Nahuatl, and less-commonly taught languages (LCTLs). Eligible graduate and undergraduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Priority will be given to students seeking to study Portuguese or other LCTLs in advanced levels of language study. Students must demonstrate a commitment to the world area (not Latinx populations in the U.S.) and to their field in the next stage of their professional or academic careers. Undergraduates CANNOT receive a FLAS award for Spanish.

FLAS grants cannot be awarded for beginning level language training, and to be eligible for FLAS, a student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. However, exceptions might be made for graduate students at the beginning level of a LCTL if the graduate student has already achieved advanced proficiency in a Latin American or Caribbean language, and if the graduate student can demonstrate that learning another language is required for his/her overall training and expertise. Undergraduates are not eligible to receive FLAS for beginning level language study. Students may apply for funding for languages beyond Spanish, Portuguese, and Nahuatl if they provide a plan for a full year of language training and area studies according to FLAS guidelines. The proposed plans will require approval from the U.S. Department of Education. In certain cases, FLAS fellowships may be used for language study abroad during an academic year. For questions regarding the availability of specific languages and student eligibility, please contact the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Institute for South
Asia Studies

10 Stephens Hall #2310
Berkeley, CA 94720-2310
Telephone: 510-642-3608
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic Year

South Asia academic year FLAS awards are available for Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. A FLAS grant in Sanskrit will only be considered if the student’s project statement adequately demonstrates the applicability of Sanskrit to a topic dealing with modern or contemporary South Asia. Awards are not given for dissertation research abroad.

Eligible graduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In certain cases, FLAS fellowships may be used for language study abroad during an academic year. FLAS awards are also open to undergraduates studying a South Asian language at the Intermediate or Advanced level.

Incoming junior and seniors preferred, and either majoring or minoring in South Asian Studies through the Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies, or majoring in a discipline represented by the core faculty of the Institute for South Asia Studies (Anthropology; Energy and Resources Group; English; Economics; Ethnic Studies; Geography; History; History of Art; Music; Sociology; Political Science; Urban Planning).

For questions regarding the availability of specific languages and student eligibility, please contact the Institute for South Asia Studies.


Summer

Berkeley students are encouraged to take languages not available at UC Berkeley through the use of a summer FLAS at an institution that has a FLAS eligible program, including programs abroad. UC Berkeley students are encouraged to take their summer study at South Asian Studies Language Institute (SASLI) held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, if the language is offered. Consult with the Institute for South Asia Studies. Non-Berkeley students are welcome to apply for a summer FLAS at Berkeley for intensive first-year Hindi.

FLAS awards are also open to undergraduates studying a South Asian language at the Intermediate or Advanced level. Incoming junior and seniors preferred either majoring or minoring in South Asian Studies through the Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies, or majoring in a discipline represented by the core faculty of the Institute for South Asia Studies (Anthropology; Energy and Resources Group; English; Economics; Ethnic Studies; Geography; History; History of Art; Music; Sociology; Political Science; Urban Planning).

For questions regarding the availability of specific languages and student eligibility, please contact the Institute for South Asia Studies.

Center for Southeast
Asia Studies

1995 University Avenue, Suite 520H
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Telephone: 510-642-3609
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic Year

Academic Year FLAS awards are available for Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, and Vietnamese. Students should check with the Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies about the level of instruction to be offered for Thai or Burmese before they apply for a FLAS for either of these languages. Priority will be given to students seeking to study Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, and Vietnamese at the advanced (third-year) level.

Undergraduates may apply for a FLAS award if they are planning to study a Southeast Asian language at the intermediate or advanced level. Award preference will be given to students who are either majoring or minoring in Southeast Asian Studies through the Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies or who otherwise demonstrate a commitment to Southeast Asian Studies.

Students who are already at an advanced proficiency level and/or students who have received an academic year FLAS award more than twice may not apply for a new FLAS award. 


Summer

Undergraduate and graduate students may apply for summer FLAS awards to study a Southeast Asian language either in the U.S. or overseas. 

Students can apply for a summer FLAS award to study one of the Southeast Asian languages offered during the academic year on campus, or take the opportunity to pursue the study of a Southeast Asian language not offered during the academic year (such as Hmong, Lao, Cebuano or Javanese).

Overseas language programs must meet the standards for course instruction and contact hours set by the U.S. Department of Education. In general, overseas programs are only open for students planning to study at an advanced level. Students who wish to study a Southeast Asian language who are not yet at an advanced level may only use a FLAS award for an overseas program if the pertinent language is not offered at a reputable program in the U.S.

In the U.S., students can use their FLAS award to study at a U.S. Department of Education-approved program, such as SEASSI (Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute), which is held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (http://seassi.wisc.edu).

PLEASE NOTE: UC Berkeley students interested in attending SEASSI should apply for a FLAS award through UC Berkeley, but should also complete a regular application for SEASSI by their deadline in the spring.

Institute of
European Studies

207 Moses Hall #2316
Berkeley, CA 94720-2316
Telephone: 510-642-4555
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic Year — Graduate Students

Languages offered include Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Welsh, and Yiddish at the Intermediate or Advanced level. To be eligible, a graduate student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. FLAS grants cannot be awarded for beginning level language training. However, an exception might be made for the beginning level of a less commonly taught language (i.e. all European languages with the exception of French, German, Spanish and Italian) if a graduate student has achieved advanced proficiency in another European language, and if the student can demonstrate that learning a second European language is required for his/her overall training and expertise. Eligible graduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IES gives absolute priority to applications for its priority languages Portuguese and Turkish as well as for the less commonly taught languages Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh, and Yiddish. Students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency German, French, Italian and Spanish can also apply. Priority is given to applications by students from under-represented groups (economically disadvantaged students, student parents, transfer students, students pursuing degrees in the professional schools and STEM fields) and applicants demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service and/or pursuing Master’s degrees in a professional school or program. Low priority is given to applicants for dissertation research abroad and to applicants who already possess native fluency in the target language. Jury members look for commitment to the area and field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding.


Academic Year — Undergraduate Students

Languages offered include Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Welsh, and Yiddish at the Intermediate or Advanced level. To be eligible, an undergraduate student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. FLAS grants cannot be awarded to undergraduates for beginning level language training. Eligible students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IES gives absolute priority to applications for its priority languages Portuguese and Turkish as well as for the less commonly taught languages Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh, and Yiddish. Students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency German, French, Italian and Spanish can also apply. Priority is given to applications by students from under-represented groups (economically disadvantaged students, student parents, transfer students, students pursuing degrees in the professional schools and STEM fields) and applicants demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service and/or pursuing Master’s degrees in a professional school or program. Jury members look for commitment to the area and field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding. FLAS fellowships may be used to fund academic year study abroad pending approval of the study abroad program by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact Associate Director Akasemi Newsome for specifics if you wish to consider using an Academic Year FLAS for study abroad.


Summer — Graduate Students

Languages offered include Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Welsh, and Yiddish at the Intermediate or Advanced level. Applications for summer study of other Northern, Western or Southern European languages are possible, pending approval of the language program by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible, a graduate student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. FLAS grants cannot be awarded for beginning level language training. However, an exception might be made for the beginning level of a less commonly taught language (i.e. all European languages with the exception of French, German, Spanish and Italian) if a graduate student has achieved advanced proficiency in another European language, and if the student can demonstrate that learning a second European language is required for his/her overall training and expertise. Students wishing to use an award for an overseas language program must be at the intermediate or advanced level of language proficiency, or at the beginning level if a beginning language program in the target language is not available in the U.S. Summer FLAS for language study abroad requires U.S. Department of Education approval of the instructional program and travel itinerary. Eligible graduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IES gives absolute priority to applications for its priority languages Portuguese and Turkish as well as for the less commonly taught languages Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh, and Yiddish. Students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency German, French, Italian and Spanish can also apply. Priority is given to applications by students from under-represented groups (economically disadvantaged students, student parents, transfer students, students pursuing degrees in the professional schools and STEM fields) and applicants demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service and/or pursuing degrees in a professional school or program. Low priority is given to applicants for dissertation research abroad and to applicants who already possess native fluency in the target language. Jury members look for commitment to the area and field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding.


Summer — Undergraduate students

Languages offered include Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Welsh, and Yiddish at the Intermediate or Advanced level. Applications for summer study of other Northern, Western or Southern European languages are possible, pending approval of the language program by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible, an undergraduate student must have completed at least two semesters of study of the target language by the start of the fellowship. FLAS grants cannot be awarded for beginning level language training. Students wishing to use an award for an overseas language program must be at the intermediate or advanced level of language proficiency. Summer FLAS for language study abroad requires U.S. Department of Education approval of the instructional program and travel itinerary. Eligible undergraduate students in any discipline and department may apply for FLAS fellowships, including students in professional schools and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. IES gives absolute priority to applications for its priority languages Portuguese and Turkish as well as for the less commonly taught languages Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Norwegian, Swedish, Welsh, and Yiddish. Students who are pursuing advanced level language proficiency German, French, Italian and Spanish can also apply. Priority is given to applications by students from under-represented groups (economically disadvantaged students, student parents, transfer students, students pursuing degrees in the professional schools and STEM fields) and applicants demonstrating likelihood of pursuing government service and/or pursuing Master’s degrees in a professional school or program. Low priority is given to applicants for research abroad and to applicants who already possess native fluency in the target language. Jury members look for commitment to the area and field when deciding on applications. Past FLAS recipients may apply for subsequent FLAS funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply for the year-long FLAS for dissertation research and writing?

Because the legislative intent of the FLAS fellowship program is language acquisition and the U.S. Department of Education has a separate dissertation fellowship program (Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program) with an annual competition, use of the FLAS fellowship for dissertation research is not encouraged. In addition, each world area center has its own policy on awarding FLAS fellowships for dissertation research. Consult the list of world area centers for specific eligibility and application details regarding the possibility of dissertation research abroad.

Q: I am a first-year graduate student. What transcripts do I submit?

Provide photocopies of your undergraduate transcript as well as any transcripts with graduate coursework taken. Be sure to cross out your social security number if it is found on your transcript.

Q: Do I have to take an international and area studies course both in the fall and the spring semesters?

Yes. Please make sure that you are enrolled in your language course and an international and area studies course each semester while on fellowship tenure.

Q: Can I take my language and international/area studies courses “pass/fail”?

No. The U.S. Department of Education requires that language and international/area studies courses be taken for a letter grade.

Q: What are examples of international and area studies courses?

An international and area studies course may be in any department but must include significant content for the world area of the FLAS award. For example, Music 134A: Music of the East Asia Tradition or Political Science 143A: Northeast Asian Politics are acceptable courses for East Asia FLAS fellows. Contact the relevant FLAS Coordinator for guidance about what courses might be eligible for your world area. If you receive a FLAS award, the FLAS coordinator for your world area should be consulted about the courses you intend to take to meet this requirement, and may need to approve your course selection.

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 should I expect to hear the results of the competition?

Results of the competition will be announced as soon as funding decisions have been made by the U.S. Department of Education regarding the FLAS status and budget of each individual area studies center. We anticipate decisions will be made sometime in the summer.

 

Q: I am an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley. Can I apply for an academic year FLAS?

Yes. Undergraduate students who are proposing to study a Less Commonly Taught Language (LCTL) which is defined as any other language other than English, Spanish, German, or French, and who are at the intermediate or advanced level of that study are eligible to apply for an academic year FLAS.  Because not all world area centers offer academic year 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 have to take an international and area studies course both in the fall and the spring semesters?

Yes. Please make sure that you are enrolled in your language course and an international and area studies course each semester while on fellowship tenure.

Q: Can I take my language and international/area studies courses “pass/fail”?

No. The U.S. Department of Education requires that language and international/area studies courses be taken for a letter grade.

Q: What are examples of international and area studies courses?

An international and area studies course may be in any department but must include significant content for the world area of the FLAS award. For example, Music 134A: Music of the East Asia Tradition or Political Science 143A: Northeast Asian Politics are acceptable courses for East Asia FLAS fellows. Contact the relevant FLAS Coordinator for guidance about what courses might be eligible for your world area. If you receive a FLAS award, the FLAS coordinator for your world area should be consulted about the courses you intend to take to meet this requirement, and may need to approve your course selection.

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 should I expect to hear the results of the competition?

Results of the competition will be announced as soon as funding decisions have been made by the U.S. Department of Education regarding the FLAS status and budget of each individual area studies center. We anticipate decisions will be made sometime during the summer.

 

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.