Language learning has becoming exceedingly important in the globalized world and the funding opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students reflect that. This resource is a listing of scholarships and grants intended for foreign language acquisition. The listing is broken down by language regions and also contains a section for more general language scholarships and grants.
Eastern Europe (Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Moldovan, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Ukrainian):
*ALFA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Alfa Fellowship Program is a high-level professional development exchange program placing qualified young professionals in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, and public policy. The program accepts up to 10 American and 5 British citizens per year. Key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are expanding networks of American, British and Russian professionals, developing greater intercultural understanding, and advancing U.S./Russian and U.K./Russian relations.
Language: Russian (advanced)
Deadline: December 1, 2012
Location: Moscow, Russia and Washington D.C., USA
Levels: Graduate
*American Research Center in Sofia Academic Program Fellowship Competition
The American Research Center in Sofia (ARCS), Bulgaria, offers three programs with accompanying fellowships for the academic year 2012–2013: a Fall term program (September–November 2012) focusing on the history and archaeology of Bulgaria and neighboring countries, from prehistory to the present day; a Spring term program (February–April 2013) focusing on the history of religion in Bulgaria and neighboring countries; and a nine-month program (September 2012–May 2013) which incorporates the material of both Fall and Spring terms. The programs combine a formal academic curriculum with independent research. ARCS hosts the programs' lectures and seminars; organizes related study trips; facilitates opportunities for taking Bulgarian and other Balkan language classes; and provides logistical support and access to local libraries, museums, and other educational institutions.
Language: Bulgarian and other Balkan Languages
Deadline: February 15, 2012
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
*The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant
Language Exploration Grant is intended to offset the costs of SRAS study abroad programs for students who demonstrate clear goals in gaining an understanding of Russia or Central Asia, the people who live there and the languages they speak. Grants may be used to study Russian, Kyrgyz, and/or Mandarin Chinese.
Language: Russian, Kyrgyz, Mandarin Chinese
Deadline for Spring: October 13, 2013
Deadline for Summer: March 15, 2013
Deadline for Fall: May 15, 2013
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate
*Kennan Institute Summer Research Scholarships
Scholars who conduct research in the social sciences or humanities focusing on the former Soviet Union (excluding the Baltic States), and who demonstrate a particular need to utilize the library, archival, and other specialized resources of the Washington, D.C. area can apply for the new Summer Research Scholarships. The summer grants must be used between May-September 2012, and grant applicants are required to hold an MA degree or higher. The Summer Research Scholarships will provide a stipend of $6400 for 62 days ($103.22/day).
Language: Russian, Other Slavic Languages, General Research
Deadline: December 1, 2012
Location: Washington D.C.
Levels: Graduate (must have MA or higher)
*The Kosciuszko Foundation Year Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship supports semester and year long Polish language studies during academic year October 2011 - June 2012 at the Center of Polish Language and Culture in the World at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Funding is provided jointly by the Polish Ministry of Education and Sports and the Kosciuszko Foundation. The Scholarship includes acceptance to the program, a tuition waiver and a Ministry stipend in the amount of 1,350 zloty per month for housing and living expenses. Additional funding of $675 per semester is awarded by the Kosciuszko Foundation. Airfare to and from Poland is not included.
Language: Polish
Deadline: Various
Location: Krakow, Poland
Levels: Undergraduate
*National SMART Grant
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study (or fifth year of a five-year program) to at least half-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language; or non-major single liberal arts programs. The student must also maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in course work required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
Language: Various Critical Languages
Deadline: NA
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate
Miscellaneous
The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages' list of intensive language programs is a good source for finding summer intensive language programs both within and outside the United States. Access that list here.
Western Europe (French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese)
*DAAD Scholarship Database
DAAD maintains a scholarship database for students wishing to study German.
Language: German
Deadline: Various
Location: Germany, domestic intensive German programs
Levels: Various
*Dante Alighieri Scholarship
The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver annually presents scholarships to deserving college students to study Italian language, music, and art in Italy.
Language: Italian
Deadline: Currently NA (Generally in April)
Location: Italy, Domestic Italian study programs (summer intensive)
Levels: Undergraduate
*Il Circolo Italiani di Denver Scholarship
Il Circolo Italiano awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the second semester or quarter of his/her sophomore year and accepted in an established study program in Italy in conjunction with an American college or university.
Language: Italian
Deadline: Currently NA (Generally late March)
Location: Italy
Levels: Undergraduate
*The National Italian American Foundation Scholarship Program
This scholarship is for those students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements. Scholarship awards range from $2,000-$12,000. Each scholarship award can only cover tuition and university-provided room and board. Scholarship recipients are eligible for one year of scholarship support. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the following academic year. Scholarship applicants and winners can and are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.
Language: Italian
Deadline: March 1, 2013
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate
*Pierre C. Fraley Scholarship
The purpose of the Pierre C. Fraley Scholarship is to enable a third or fourth year college or university student of French or a newly graduated French teacher to attend an accredited summer program of study in order to obtain a level of proficiency in the spoken language that is not attainable in normal classroom work.
Language: French
Deadline: February 15
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate (Must obtain Junior status)
Latin America (Spanish, Portuguese)
*Argentinean Language and Culture Scholarships Programs
The Argentinean Language and Culture Scholarship Program is designed for those students who wish to take part in a fast learning of the language, combined with social and cultural activities that allow them to practice it at the same time.
Language: Spanish
Deadline: Rolling
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
Levels: Must be 18+
*The Center for Cross-Cultural Study
The CC-CS offers several scholarships to students accepted to CC-CS programs in Spain, Argentina and Cuba.
Language: Spanish
Deadline: Rolling
Location: Spain, Argentina, Cuba
Levels: Various
*LIVFund Scholarships
LIVFund offers scholarships to students learning, interning or volunteering in Latin America. The scholarship competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 interested in learning, interning or volunteering abroad in Latin America.
Candidates may apply for the LIVFund Scholarship at any time, beginning six months in advance of their program start date. Candidates coming to Latin America with an organized program, designing their own program or still waiting to be accepted to an abroad program are all eligible to apply. Students, interns and volunteers who are already abroad are also eligible to receive funding.
Language: Spanish, Portuguese
Deadline: Rolling
Location: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela
Levels: Various
The Near East (Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Farsi/Persian, Urdu, etc):
*American Institute of Iranian Studies fellowships and language training (various):
AIIrS offers two-month fellowships for advanced language study in Tehran at the Dehkhoda Institute.
Language: Farsi
Deadline: January 10th, 2013 (receiving applications), January 15th 2013 (receiving letters of recommendation)
Location: Tehran, Iran
Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate and Postdoctoral (must have at least one year of formal "Persian language study")
*American Institute of Maghribi Studies grant programs (various):
The American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) announces its annual Grants Program for the academic year beginning in May 2012. The program offers grants to US scholars interested in conducting research on North Africa in any Maghrib country, specifically Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, or Mauritania. AIMS sponsors three Overseas Research Centers in the region and all AIMS grants are categorized by where research will be conducted. AIMS does not fund research outside the Maghrib.
Language: Arabic (Classical, Maghribi), Tamazight
Deadline: December 31, 2012 (Postmark date)
Location: The Maghrib (region of North Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea)
Levels: Graduate and Postgraduate Students
*American Institute for Yemeni Studies Fellowship
AIYS normally offers students and scholars the opportunity to obtain intensive Arabic language training in Yemen through AIYS' ECA-funded individual fellowship program. AIYS Arabic language funds mayonly be used for study in Yemen. Since these fellowships are subject to the ban on using ECA-funded fellowship funds to travel to Yemen, this competition is therefore not offered for the present deadline.
Language: Classical Arabic, Colloquial Yemeni Arabic
Deadline: January 15th, 2013
Location: Yemen
Levels: Graduate
*American Research Institute in Turkey programs (various):
ARIT directly supports and administers a variety of programs and fellowships for scholarly research and for language study in Turkey. Programs for scholars and graduate students based in the U.S. and Canada include the ARIT, Kenan T. Erim, National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship programs, and the ARIT-Princeton Summer Language Program at Bogazici University in Istanbul. ARIT Fellows come from all regions of North America and represent many fields of the humanities and social sciences. ARIT fellowships support individual research projects in ancient, historical, and modern times in all fields of the humanities and social sciences that must be carried out in Turkey.
Language: Turkish
Deadline: Various; (Deadline for Arit U.S.-based Research Fellowships- November 1, 2012)
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate and Postgraduate
*Center for Arabic Study Abroad Fellowship
CASA offers advanced level training in Arabic language and culture to qualified American students at the Tahrir Square campus of the American University in Cairo. Applicants to the various CASA programs must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and should have completed a minimum of 3 years of formal instruction in Arabic prior to joining CASA.
Language: Arabic (Classical and Colloquial Egyptian)
Deadline: January 4, 2013
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*The Houtan Scholarship
The Houtan Foundation offers scholarship to students from all origins, Iranian and non-Iranian, who have high academic performance and proven interest in promoting Iran's great culture, heritage, language and civilization. The candidates for the award must demonstrate leadership ability and the desire to make a difference in the society where they reside.
Language: Farsi/Persian
Deadline: June 1st 2013 (for Fall ), October 1st 2013 (for Spring )
Location: Not location specific
Levels: to be applied toward graduate studies
*Ibn Battuta Merit Scholarships for Peace & Diplomacy
Qalam wa Lawh Center for Arabic studies is pleased to announce new scholarships available for intensive study of Modern Standard Arabic. The Ibn Battuta Merit Scholarships aim to reward students for excellence and dedication to the study of the Arabic language as well as promote the study of Arabic as a foreign language. Prospective students may apply to either one of the semester programs (fall, spring) or else to the winter and summer programs.
Language: Farsi/Persian
Deadline: June 15th 2013 (for Fall), October 12th 2012 (for Winter), November 16th, 2012 (for Spring), March 1st, 2013 (for Summer)
Location: Not location specific
Levels: to be applied toward graduate studies
*Qatar Scholarship Program
The Qatar Scholarship Program offers dedicated Arabic language students from the United States the opportunity to master their skills in an intensive Arabic language program at Qatar University (QU) in Doha for an entire academic year (September to June). The scholarship includes tuition, room and board in university dorms, round-trip airfare, local transportation, and books. This program is designed for those who have already developed their Arabic at the intermediate and advanced levels. Students passing a proficiency exam at QU will also have the opportunity to audit regular undergraduate courses taught in Arabic in an array of subjects. This is a non-degree program; however, students will receive a certificate upon completion of the academic year and academic credit will be awarded.
Language: Arabic
Deadline: December 15, 2012
Location: Doha, Qatar
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*The Language Flagship: Arabic Overseas Flagship Programs
The Arabic Overseas Flagship Program for Undergraduates started in June 2008 and is located on the campus of Alexandria University, in Alexandria, Egypt. Students on the Undergraduate Arabic Overseas Program may study in Alexandria for the summer only, or for a full academic year, depending on their level.This program is intended as a logical step after participating in the Stateside Undergraduate Arabic Flagship Program and achieving a proficiency level of ACTFL 'Intermediate High' (ILR 1+).
Language: Arabic
Deadline: Various
Location: Alexandria, Egypt and Domestic programs
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*The William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship at the American University in Dubai
The William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship at the American University in Dubai seeks to further the goals of the Clinton Presidential Foundation to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. In partnership with the American University in Dubai, the program will provide American students based in the US the opportunity to expand their educational and cultural horizons by studying in the Arab world.
Language: Arabic
Deadlines:
For the Fall Semester: April 15th of every year
For the Spring Semester: October 15th of every year
For the Summer I Session: February 15th of every year
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Levels: Undergraduate
The Far East and Southeast Asia (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.)
*The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant
Language Exploration Grant is intended to offset the costs of SRAS study abroad programs for students who demonstrate clear goals in gaining an understanding of Russia or Central Asia, the people who live there and the languages they speak. Grants may be used to study Russian, Kyrgyz, and/or Mandarin Chinese.
Language: Russian, Kyrgyz, Mandarin Chinese
Deadline: October 15, 2011
Location: Various
Levels: Undergarduate
*Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations, through donations to the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging Foundation, makes it possible for ATJ to award scholarships to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year.
Language: Japanese
Deadline: October 10, 2012
Location: Japan
Levels: Undergraduate
*Freeman-ASIA Scholarships
Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
Language: Various
Deadline: October 10, 2012
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate
*Peter Wollitzer Scholarships for Study in Asia
The Wollitzer Scholarships were established by the Ping Foundation in 2006 in memory of Peter Wollitzer, Regional Director at the university-wide office of the University of California Education Abroad Program. Peter had a long affiliation with CIEE and was a strong proponent of CIEE Study Centers around the world. He was most recently a member of the CIEE Academic Consortium Board. These awards provide assistance to students from CIEE Academic Consortium Board Member institutions who are participating in CIEE study abroad programs in Asia.
Language: Various
Deadline: January 20th, 2013
Location: Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam (note: funds only for use with CIEE Study Center programs)
Levels: Undergraduate
*U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Project Abroad Scholarship for Programs in China
Under the Fulbright-Hays Act, IEPS administers four overseas programs that provide a variety of grants to individuals and institutions of higher education for projects in foreign languages and area studies. The CIEE scholarship program was created with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad to provide scholarship funding to qualified CIEE program participants that intend to continue advanced studies in the Chinese language and pursue a career in academia or public affairs following their semester or year with CIEE in China or Taiwan. Participants of advanced language programs offered by the CIEE Study Centers at Peking University (Beijing), East China Normal University (Shanghai), Nanjing University [Nanjing], and National Chengchi University (Taipei) are encouraged to apply for these awards.
Language: Chinese
Deadline: April 1- Summer, Fall and Academic year programs. November 1- Winter, Spring and Calendar year programs
Location: China (various)
Levels: Undergraduate (Junior or Senior status), Graduate
General and Miscellaneous
*American Councils Programs
American Councils administers a variety of cultural exchange, study abroad, and research programs on behalf of both public and private funders. Participation in these programs is through an open, merit-based competition, and facilitates mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia, Southeast Europe, and South Asia.
Language: Various
Deadline: Various
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate
*AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
AIFS offers a number of grants and scholarships to students who apply to AIFS study abroad programs.
Language: Various
Deadline: Various
Location: Various
Levels: Various
*Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.
Language: Various
Deadline: November 2, 2012
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate
*Boren Fellowships
Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Language: Various
Deadline: TBA
Location: Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East
Levels: Graduate
*Boren Scholarships
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Language: Various
Deadline: TBA
Location: Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East
Levels: Graduate
*Critical Language Scholarship Program
A program of United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program will offer intensive summer language institutes overseas in thirteen critical need foreign languages for summer 2012.
Language: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish and Urdu
Deadline: November 15, 2012
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*Critical Language Enhancement Award
The Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) provides funding for three to six months of intensive language study. CLEA is available for eligible participants of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Language: Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin only), Hindi, Bhasa Indonesian, Punjabi, Russian, Gujurati and Urdu
Deadline: Must apply for CLEA in conjunction with Fulbright U.S. Student Program application
Location: Various
Levels: Graduate
*Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships program provides allocations of academic year and summer fellowships to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to assist meritorious undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies. Eligible students apply for fellowships directly to an institution that has received an allocation of fellowships from the U.S. Department of Education.
Language: Various
Deadline: Not Available
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*IES Merit-Based Scholarships
Open to students who excel in the study of one of the following foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish. Applicants for this scholarship must be accepted to and enroll in an IES Abroad program in which the target language is taught and/or used. Native speakers are ineligible for this scholarship.
Language: Various
Deadline: May 1st and October 25th
Location: Various
Levels: Various
*Internationalscholarships.com
The International Scholarship Search is the premier financial aid, college scholarship and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad.
*NSA Summer Language Program
NSA offers foreign language students the opportunity to sharpen their language skills in reading and listening to a professional level. As an apprentice to senior NSA language analysts, you'll gain intensive experience exploiting communications for vital intelligence missions. You'll also have the unique opportunity for multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary growth in analytical skills.
Language: Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Pashto, Persian, Russian and Urdu
Deadline: Applications are taken between September 1st and November 15th
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate and Graduate
*Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year.
Language: Various
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Location: Various
Levels: Undergraduate
*Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors academic year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
Language: Various
Deadline: Contact local Rotary club for programs and deadlines
Location: Various
Levels: Various
*The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
The Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
Language: Various State Dept. Languages
Deadline: February 13, 2012
Location: Various
Levels: Senior Undergrad and Graduate
