Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide funding to graduate and undergraduate students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States to encourage the study of critical and less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies or international aspects of professional studies. These fellowships are funded with grants from the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. The purpose of the FLAS program is to promote the training of students who intend to make their careers in college or university teaching, government service, or other employment where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is essential.

Academic Year 

• Academic Year FLAS fellowships will be awarded in MODERN Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hebrew.
• Priority will be given to graduate students pursuing advanced language proficiency (third year+) for research purposes and professional development, though students at all levels are welcome to apply, including undergraduates (for whom priority will be given to those with declared majors in Middle Eastern Studies).
• Awardees must be registered in language and area studies courses at UC Berkeley throughout award period.
• THE CMES DOES NOT AWARD ACADEMIC YEAR FLAS FOR RESEARCH ABROAD.

Additional information and application portal available at UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division.

Summer*

• Summer FLAS fellowships will be awarded in MODERN Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hebrew.
• The summer competition is open to graduate students and undergraduates studying a modern Middle Eastern language at the intermediate or advanced level. For undergraduates, preference will be given to students with declared majors in Middle Eastern Studies.
• Graduate students at other UC campuses are also eligible to receive FLAS summer awards, although priority will be given to UC Berkeley students.
• Competitive preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the FAFSA by the time of application.
• Summer FLAS awards may be used for study at UC Berkeley (Berkeley Summer Sessions), or through another program that meets the intensive-study requirements of FLAS. When researching language programs, keep in mind that the summer FLAS award should provide each fellow with the equivalent of a full academic year’s worth of language of instruction. Programs should be a minimum of 6 weeks in length. Students at the intermediate level are expected to attend programs offering a minimum of 140 contact hours, while advanced students need 120 hours of instruction.
• All programs will ultimately have to be approved by the U.S. Department of Education after successful candidates are selected by the CMES faculty committee. At that stage, students are asked to submit their Acceptance Forms to the FLAS Coordinator at UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division immediately so approval can be requested. The FLAS Coordinator requests approval on students’ behalf. Students are advised to refrain from making irrevocable travel arrangements prior to receiving official word from the FLAS Coordinator.

Additional information and application portal available at UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division.

Download PowerPoint with FLAS Information & FAQs

*UC Berkeley is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal guidelines. Proposals should take into consideration the likely need for flexibility as the national and international public health situation evolves and as official guidelines and restrictions change. In addition to local and state regulations, applicants should monitor official guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of State, concerning the advisability of international travel. Please email cmes@berkeley.edu with any questions.