About

Photo of a FLAS fellow with his host family.

Overview

Critical Language Study is part of a U.S. Department of Education initiative to encourage students in U.S. American institutions to study and master foreign languages less commonly taught in schools but essential to the nation's positive engagement with the world.

Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide financial support for students to immerse themselves in the study of a critical language of their choice. 

KU area studies centers offer programs in 23 languages eligible for FLAS awards during the 2022-2026 Title VI grant cycle. FLAS Fellowships allow students to immerse themselves in the study of a critical language without having the burden of worry financial security.

The U.S. Department of Education has certain languages of priority based on areas of national need e.g. working in schooling or governmental positions. The four Centers at KU each have their own specific priorities in order to meet with the needs that the Federal government has outlined. This is to ensure that the most qualified and deserving applicants achieve academic success and in turn contribute to the success of the U.S. Department of Education.

All Students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
  • Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) as a full-time student at KU.
  • Studying a KU FLAS approved language at the intermediate or advanced level for undergraduate students or the beginning, intermediate or advanced level for graduate students. Undergraduates may never receive awards for beginner level study. Graduate students may engage in beginner level study but only when
    • The student already has advanced proficiency (6+ semesters, native fluency, or certified proficiency placement test) in another language related to the student’s field of study
    • Learning the new language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.
  • Show potential for high academic achievement based on indices such as grade point average, class ranking, or similar measures determined by each individual area studies center at KU.
  • Students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which the award is sought will receive lowest consideration.

Academic Year

  • Undergraduate AY FLAS Fellowships provide up to $10,000 for tuition and a $5,000 stipend. Undergraduate FLAS is available for intermediate and advanced language study only. Undergraduates may never receive awards for beginner level study.
  • Graduate AY FLAS Fellowships provide up to $18,000 for tuition and a $20,000 stipend. Graduate FLAS is available for intermediate and advanced language study. Graduate students may engage in beginner-level study, but only when:
    • The student already has advanced proficiency (6+ semesters, native fluency, or certified proficiency placement test) in another language related to the student’s field of study; and
    • Learning the new language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.
  • Awards may be used for study at KU, study abroad, or a combination of both.
  • Students must be enrolled full-time and their course load must include an area studies center approved language course and an approved area studies course each semester.
  • Courses must be taken for a letter grade. Pass/Fail credit will not be accepted.
  • FLAS awards may not be used for independent research.

Summer

  • Summer FLAS Fellowships (undergraduate and graduate) provide up to $5,000 for summer tuition and a stipend of $3,500. International travel funds may be available but are not guaranteed. All tuition amounts are limited to actual tuition charges.
  • Awards may be used for FLAS eligible programs at KU, another US institution of higher learning, and/or study abroad.
  • To be a FLAS eligible program, language study must be the equivalent of one academic year of modern foreign language study (a minimum of 6 consecutive weeks with 140 contact hours for beginner and intermediate level instruction, and 120 contact hours for advanced level instruction).
  • Undergraduate students must be at the intermediate or advanced level of language study to use an award for an approved overseas program. Undergraduates may never receive awards for beginner level language study.
  • Graduate FLAS is available for intermediate and advanced language study at an approved overseas language program. Graduate students may engage in beginner-level study, but only when:
    • The student already has advanced proficiency (6+ semesters, native fluency, or certified proficiency placement test) in another language related to the student’s field of study; and
    • learning the new language is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.
    • An appropriate equivalent beginning language instruction program in the student's target language is not available in the United States.
  • FLAS awards may not be used for independent research.

FLAS Coordinators

Each area studies center has a dedicated FLAS coordinator who can help you throughout the application process. For more information about a center's priorities or unique deadlines, please visit a center's website and contact their coordinator.

FLAS Coordinators