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.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
Applications will be accepted from December 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, for the Summer 2025 and Academic Year 2025-2026 sessions.
Competition details
Academic Year
Undergraduate $5,000 stipend, plus maximum tuition award of $10,000 or actual tuition if lower. | Graduate $20,000 stipend, plus tuition award of 12 credit hours per semester*. Automatic enrollment in the graduate student health insurance plan with the cost of the student premium paid by the fellowship. * Tuition award maximum per semester during the academic year will be capped at 12 credit hours at the current rate set by the Indiana University Graduate School. |
Summer
All students, all programs $3,500 summer stipend, plus tuition award for cost of language course only (up to $5,000). |
FLAS Fellowships are open to all eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
Academic Year
Undergraduate Undergraduate awards require enrollment in intermediate-level language instruction (Level 2) or higher of a less commonly taught language (study of French, German or Spanish is NOT eligible for FLAS Fellowships). Some centers may require that undergraduate FLAS awardees enroll in a level higher than second-year. In order to remain eligible for an academic year FLAS Fellowship, FLAS recipients must be enrolled in one language course and one area studies course during each semester. | Graduate Graduate awards require enrollment in intermediate-level language instruction (Level 2) or higher. However, if you already have advanced proficiency in another language related to your studies, you are eligible to apply for a FLAS to support Level 1 study. Specific approval for Level 1 language study for eligible applicants is required and is considered on a case-by-case basis by the respective FLAS Center and with approval from the U.S. Department of Education. In order to remain eligible for an academic year FLAS Fellowship, FLAS recipients must be enrolled in one language course and one area studies course during each semester. Students at the doctoral level are able to apply for a FLAS fellowship to conduct dissertation research abroad. The FLAS course requirements do not apply in this instance. |
Summer
All students, all programs A FLAS Fellowship may be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students participating in a summer program that provides the equivalent of one academic year of modern foreign language study. A summer program (domestic or overseas) may qualify for FLAS if it is at least six weeks in duration and offers at least 140 contact hours for students at the beginning or intermediate level of the language, or at least 120 contact hours of instruction for students at the advanced level. Field trips and excursions cannot be used to fulfill contact hour requirements. Students who graduate prior to the beginning of the summer program in which they intend to participate remain eligible only under certain conditions, including being enrolled as a degree-seeking student by the consecutive Fall. Undergraduate awards require enrollment in intermediate-level language instruction (Level 2) or higher of a less commonly taught language (study of French, German or Spanish is NOT eligible for FLAS Fellowships). Some centers may require that undergraduate FLAS awardees enroll in a level higher than second-year. Graduate awards require enrollment in intermediate level language instruction (Level 2) or higher. However, if you already have advanced proficiency in another language related to your studies, you are eligible to apply for a FLAS to support Level 1 study. Specific approval for Level 1 language study for eligible applicants is required and is considered on a case-by-case basis by the respective FLAS Center and with approval from the U.S. Department of Education. (Please explain this status within Statement of Purpose portion of the application). |
Languages
If a language that you are interested in studying is not listed, please contact flas@iu.edu to discuss possible opportunities.
| Language | Center(s) |
| Akan/Twi | African Studies Program |
| Amharic | African Studies Program |
| Arabic (Africa-based only) | African Studies Program |
| Arabic | Center for the Study of Global Change Center for the Study of the Middle East Institute for European Studies Islamic Studies Program |
| Azerbaijani | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Bamana | African Studies Program Islamic Studies Program |
| Bosnian | Institute for European Studies Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Catalan | Institute for European Studies |
| Chinese | Center for the Study of Global Change |
| Chuvash | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Croatian | Institute for European Studies Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Czech | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Dari | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Dutch | Institute for European Studies |
| Estonian | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Language | Center(s) |
| Finnish | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Georgian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Greek (Modern) | Institute for European Studies Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Haitian Creole | Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute for European Studies |
| Hebrew | Center for the Study of the Middle East |
| Hindi | Center for the Study of Global Change |
| Hungarian | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Institute for European Studies Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Igbo | Center for the Study of Global Change |
| Italian | Institute for European Studies |
| Japanese | Center for the Study of Global Change |
| Kazakh | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Korean | Center for the Study of Global Change |
| Kurdish | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Center for the Study of the Middle East |
| Kyrgyz | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Language | Center(s) |
| Latvian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Lithuanian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Maya | Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies |
| Mongolian | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Norwegian | Institute for European Studies |
| Pashto | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Persian | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Center for the Study of Global Change Center for the Study of the Middle East Islamic Studies Program |
| Polish | Institute for European Studies Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Portuguese | Center for the Study of Global Change Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute for European Studies |
| Quechua | Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies |
| Romanian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Russian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute Center for the Study of Global Change Islamic Studies Program |
| Language | Center(s) |
| Serbian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Swahili | African Studies Program Center for the Study of Global Change Islamic Studies Program |
| Tajik | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Tatar | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Tibetan | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Turkish | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Center for the Study of Global Change Center for the Study of the Middle East Islamic Studies Program |
| Turkmen | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center |
| Ukrainian | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Urdu | Center for the Study of Global Change Islamic Studies Program |
| Uyghur | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Islamic Studies Program |
| Uzbek | Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center Islamic Studies Program |
| Yiddish | Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute |
| Yoruba | African Studies Program |
| Zulu | African Studies Program |
FLAS Centers
The African Studies Program (ASP) is a Title VI National Resource Center, one of the leading centers in the US for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. ASP promotes the study of Africa in a global perspective, with courses offered by more than 90 faculty across the College, and in 10 of IU’s professional schools. Our top-ranked African languages program offers instruction in eight languages approved for FLAS fellowship study: Akan/Twi, Arabic (focus is Arabic-speaking regions of Africa), Bamana, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba, and Zulu. IU graduate students wishing to learn an African language may apply for a FLAS fellowship to study an African language relevant to their area of research (including languages not listed above). Undergraduates demonstrating a commitment to African Studies through enrollment in one of the ASP minors or certificate, or International Studies majors or Independent Majors Program students with Africa regional focus are also eligible to apply.
The Center for the Study of Global Change specifically supports study or research that is transnational, cross-regional, or global. It will only consider proposals that pursue specific national, cultural, or regional subjects in which the research or focus of study utilizes a global framework to explore its object of inquiry. Students interested in government service and/or research on critical global issues or areas of national need are especially encouraged to apply.
The Center for the Study of the Middle East (CSME) at Indiana University is a Title VI Comprehensive National Resource Center which promotes multi- and interdisciplinary knowledge of the Middle East by promoting language and area expertise through fellowships, travel grants, academic and professional development, and outreach programs. CSME supports advanced research and scholarship of the Middle East and North Africa, and provides training to students, teachers, and professionals, with the cooperation and collaboration of 97 affiliated faculty. CSME encourages and welcomes students of Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish to apply for FLAS scholarships through the Center.
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) serves as the focal point on campus for research, teaching, learning, and outreach related to Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special emphasis on four less commonly taught languages: Haitian Creole, Maya, Portuguese, and Quechua. CLACS FLAS applicants should explain how their study of one of these languages will help them develop research, teaching, or outreach related to Latin America and the Caribbean and how their career plans relate to areas of national need. More than that, we would like to know in your statement of purpose what motivates you to study a Latin American and Caribbean language on a personal level: what it is that makes you interested in this world region.
The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center (IAUNRC) provides academic year and summer FLAS fellowships to support study of the Inner Asian and Uralic region and training in less commonly taught languages of that region. The vast area covered by IAUNRC includes the following countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolian, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the following regions: Buryatia, Inner Mongolia, Tatarstan, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
The Institute for European Studies (EURO) at IU promotes knowledge of Europe and the European Union through education, scholarship, and public outreach. Our academic degree programs train specialists committed to strengthening transatlantic ties through careers in public service, business, research, and teaching.
The Islamic Studies Program (ISP) advances critical research about Islam and the Muslim world and facilitates access to knowledge in the field for students, scholars, professionals, and the general public. Drawing upon IU's strengths in area studies and intensive language instruction, the program has particular strengths in the study of Islam as it is manifested in sub-Saharan and North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia, and in Central, South, East and Southeast Asia. ISP accepts FLAS applications from undergraduate and graduate students across IU who have emerging or well-developed interests in Islam and in Muslim peoples and practices and who seek to pursue those interests in the following languages: Arabic, Bamana, Persian, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, Uyghur, and Uzbek. We give consideration to students who plan to pursue careers in higher education, government service, the non-profit sector, or in any other field for which linguistic and cultural expertise is necessary for success.
The Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute (BREEI) administers one of the country's leading programs in Russian and East European area studies and has been designated one of eleven U.S. Department of Education-funded Title VI National Resource/FLAS Centers for Russia and Eastern Europe for the 2018-2022 grant period. BREEI provides academic year and summer FLAS fellowships to support the study of the Russian and East European region and training in less commonly taught languages of that region.
Application Process
Before You Apply
Students are required to complete the following steps before submitting their FLAS Application. These documents should be requested BEFORE the deadline to allow time for the requests to be processed.
The FLAS application requires two letters of recommendation. On the application, please list the name and email address of your recommenders in the appropriate section.
Your recommenders should be two current or past instructors who can support your application for FLAS funding. At least one recommender should have knowledge of your language skills to speak to your current scholarly activity working with a foreign language.
It is strongly recommended that you contact your recommenders separately to let them know that you are requesting a letter from them. You should also tell them that they will receive an email from flas@iu.edu with instructions for submitting the letter.
PLEASE NOTE: Letters of recommendation must be uploaded as PDFs; all other file types will not be accepted.
FAQs:
| Can I use a letter of recommendation from my admissions application for my FLAS application? If you are currently applying for admission to IU, you may use a recommendation from your admissions application. Please contact your home department and ask them to send the letter(s) to flas@iu.edu. Current IU students may not re-use recommendations that were submitted as part of their application for admission. |
| Do my recommenders need to submit multiple letters if I am submitting multiple applications (more than one language and/or more than one center)? No; one set of recommendations is all that is required per applicant and your letters of recommendation will automatically be applied to each application submitted. However, you are welcome to request that additional/alternate letters of recommendation be applied to a specific application if you believe that this will strengthen your application. |
| Can I re-use a letter of recommendation from a past FLAS application? No; all letters of recommendation must be current. |
You must provide official transcripts for all colleges and universities, other than an IU campus (see below), you have attended. It is your responsibility to ask the registrar(s) to send your transcripts(s) to FLAS at HLS. You are responsible for all fees incurred with transcript requests.
PLEASE NOTE: For academic work at an IU campus, you may elect to have an unofficial transcript downloaded at no charge by selecting this option on your application.
While separate applications are required when requesting consideration for support by more than one center or for the study of more than one language, only one set of transcripts are needed.
| Electronic Transcripts: flas@iu.edu | Paper Transcripts: FLAS 355 N. Eagleson Ave. Bloomington, IN 47405-1105 |
FAQs:
| What does "official transcript" mean? An official transcript is one that comes from the registrar's office of your university or college. We can accept an official transcript electronically if this is sent directly from your university or college to flas@iu.edu. We can also accept a transcript in a signed envelope with an unbroken seal either from the applicant or directly from the conferring university or college. Note that the signed seal must be unbroken for us to accept the transcript. |
| Do I need to send additional transcripts if I am submitting multiple applications (more than one language and/or more than one center)? No, one set of transcripts is all that is required per applicant and your transcripts will automatically be applied to each application submitted. |
| I had transcripts sent to my home department as a part of my admissions/other funding application; can these be applied to my FLAS application? Yes. To do this, please contact your home department and ask them to send your transcript(s) directly to flas@iu.edu. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that their home department sends their transcripts to flas@iu.edu. |
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for 2024-2025 and request to have the results sent to Indiana University (IU Bloomington’s federal school code is 001809). If you have not yet completed the FAFSA for 2024-25, please do so at least two weeks before the FLAS competition deadline to ensure time for processing. If you cannot complete the FAFSA due to technical difficulties at the FAFSA website, we will use last year’s FAFSA, if available.
PLEASE NOTE: A FAFSA is not required to apply for a Summer FLAS Fellowship.
If you have not completed the FAFSA or are unsure whether or not you have completed the FAFSA, you can find instructions for filling out the FAFSA form on the FAFSA website.
For additional information on FAFSA, you can visit the FAFSA Help page or IU Student Central.
FAQs:
| Will my financial need be taken into consideration during the selection process? FLAS is principally a merit-based award. While financial need is taken into consideration during the selection process, FLAS fellows are primarily nominated based on their competitive standing and the academic priorities of the U.S. Department of Education. Our reviewing committees will carefully consider all aspects of an application when selecting awardees. |
FLAS Application Writing Prompt
The FLAS Application requires a Statement of Purpose, which should address the following topics:
- Please describe your past and future academic course of study for the language and region or global topic for which you are applying.
- How will this language and area study training advance your research and proposed program of study?
- How will this FLAS Fellowship enrich your long-term career goals?
Format requirements:
- up to 2 pages in length
- 1-inch margins
- 12 font size
- Times New Roman or Arial fonts
Application Tips and FAQs
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.
Typically yes; your award package will be reviewed on a case-by case basis. You cannot receive funds for the same purpose, like tuition from FLAS and 21stCentury Scholar.
Yes, providing that you’re working with an instructor via a synchronous online course or independent study. Asynchronous courses are not permitted.
Yes, subject to program approval. Many students study abroad during the academic year as well as attend summer programs outside of IU.
Your level depends on your completed coursework or a proficiency exam. Proficiency exam NOT necessary to apply for FLAS, and language placement questions can be answered by your center.
Typically, by the end of March. Notifications for both summer and academic year will go out as each center makes their decisions.