Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS)

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships are provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program. The program is intended to broaden the nation’s pool of area and international specialists. Applicants should be planning to use their training to teach, to serve in government or international agencies, or to engage in other work that advances American understanding of other countries.

The FLAS program supports UCLA graduate and undergraduate training in Middle East and North African (MENA) studies and modern languages of the region including: Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. Other less commonly taught languages of the region may be considered for funding as well. Graduate and undergraduate students who are studying the languages at intermediate level or higher are eligible. Beginning level of a language may be undertaken by graduate students only if the student already is at advanced level in a second MENA language. Undergraduates already enrolled at UCLA and who will be in student status for the duration of the fellowship may apply for both Summer and Academic Year (AY) awards but only for intermediate and advanced levels of language study. Past awardees may reapply.

Selection for the award is based on the following criteria:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Academic performance and potential as evidenced by academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose.
• The extent to which overall course of study focuses on the MENA region.
• The level of planned language study. Intermediate and advanced levels are preferred.
• Financial need as demonstrated by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA

Summer fellowships are for intensive language programs only. Non-language programs are not eligible for summer FLAS funding, nor is dissertation research. In order to qualify for funding, the summer intensive language program must be at least 6 weeks long and provide at least 140 contact hours for beginning and intermediate level courses, or 120 contact hours for advanced level coursework. FLAS funds may be used for intensive summer language study at UCLA or elsewhere including online, distance learning language programs with synchronous face-to-face instruction that fulfills the contact hours requirements. Summer programs should fall into one of the following three categories: a) A program held in-person in another country, usually in the MENA region; b) A program held in-person in the US; c) A program conducted remotely. The summer session should provide the fellow with the equivalent of one academic year of intensive modern foreign language study. Students should apply for admission directly to their intended summer language program(s) by program deadlines. The language courses should be taken for a letter grade.

Academic Year fellowships are awarded for fall-spring quarters. Fellowship recipients must be engaged in full-time study for the duration of their awards. The AY fellowship requires that each quarter students take both a MENA language course and one MENA area study course, each for a letter grade. It is expected that AY fellowships will be used at UCLA unless approval is granted. Prior approvals are also required for AY awards to be used for dissertation work, and only for students with advanced language proficiency in all skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) of the language for which they are applying for FLAS. To qualify for this award graduate students must have completed all required coursework for their degree and have passed their departmental exams by the fellowship award period. See more information on FLAS dissertation award HERE.

Application Requirements:

• A statement of purpose of no more than 1,000 words, outlining your primary study and research interest and explaining how language study will enhance your project and career goals.
• Two academic letters of recommendation.
• Unofficial university transcripts. Graduate students can include transcripts from prior degree institutions.
• Resume or CV.
• For summer funding, a budget will be required along with information about the summer language program.
• Competitive preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants' financial need will be verified through the UCLA Financial Aid Office. To complete the FAFSA application, visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Fellowship Requirements:

• For academic year fellowships, recipients must submit reports on the courses they pursue to fulfill the FLAS requirements each term (one language and one area studies course). Advance approval is required for independent studies, directed reading courses, and dissertation research or writing. Click HERE for more information about Dissertation FLAS awards.
• Meet reporting deadlines. Recipients are required by the US Department of Education to complete online reports including a language proficiency evaluation that must be submitted by the student's instructor both at the beginning and end of the award period. Fellows must also complete self-reports at the end of the award period, and provide biannual reports on employment and use of the target language for a minimum of eight years after graduation.
• Grantees are required to inform the Center of any other awards received during the FLAS fellowship period. FLAS fellowships may be combined with supplementary funding. Graduate students should be aware of the Graduate Division's maximum limit of merit-based support. Undergraduate students must also consult with the UCLA Financial Aid Office regarding their funding as this fellowship may impact other federal awards, grants, etc.
• Grantees must inform CNES staff of any changes to their research and travel plans, particularly if they hope to be abroad during the fellowship period (see "Covid Update" above).

Application:
New and continuing UCLA graduate and undergraduate students in all disciplines may apply. Separate applications are required for Summer and Academic Year funding. Note: All FLAS application materials, including faculty recommendations must be submitted online by the deadline.

The deadline for all application materials for both Summer 2024 and AY 2024-2025 is January 31, 2025.
For Frequently Asked Questions, please see the link: www.international.ucla.edu/institute/article/128863

Apply through the application link below:

Academic Year 2025-26 Application Form

Summer 2025 Application Form

 
For more information please contact:
Dr. Badema Pitic, CNES Assistant Director
E-mail: pitic@international.ucla.edu