FLAS Fellowships

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships are funded by the United States Department of Education in support of graduate and undergraduate students studying less commonly taught languages and cultures, in particular, those considered to be of critical interest to the United States. They are intended to promote the training of students who plan to make their careers in college or university teaching, government service, or other employment where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is a prerequisite for success.

Application Tips

Note that you can only receive a FLAS award for one language at a time. If you are interested in studying more than one language, you are able to submit applications for different languages. A separate application will be required for each language. You will only need to submit your transcripts, FAFSA, and letters of recommendation once.

Submitting an application to multiple centers will increase your chances of receiving FLAS funding. You are encouraged to submit applications to multiple centers when funding for the language that you are interested in studying is offered by more than one center. Only one FLAS application will be required to apply to multiple centers: you DO NOT need to submit a separate application to each center as you may have done in previous FLAS competitions. Additionally, you will only need to submit your transcripts, FAFSA, and letters of recommendation once.

In selecting the FLAS centers who should receive your application, you must do the following:

  • Review the list of languages on this webpage to ensure that funding for your chosen language is offered by the center to which you are applying
  • Refer to the list of centers on this webpage to learn how your academic interests align with the mission of the center(s) to which you are applying. You will be asked to describe how your academic interests and goals align with the mission and purpose of each center that receives your application.

Once you have determined which language(s) you would like to study, please take a moment to research the mission and goals of the center(s) to which you will be applying for funding. A strong application will show that your academic goals align with those of the center(s) who will be reviewing your materials. Consider demonstrating this fact in your statement of purpose essay and your short answer questions.

A strong application will show that your academic goals align with the priorities that the U.S. Department of Education has identified for the use of FLAS funds. FLAS funds are intended to promote the training of students who plan to make their careers in government service, college or university teaching, business, and non-profit sectors, or other employment where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is a prerequisite for success. Consider demonstrating how the receipt of FLAS funds will enable you to contribute to these areas of national need in your statement of purpose essay and your short answer questions.

You are welcome and encouraged to apply to both the summer and the academic year FLAS competitions at the same time. Past and current FLAS awardees are also encouraged to apply; having received a FLAS award in the past will not prevent you from accepting future FLAS awards.

Questions?

Contact us at flas@iu.edu