Announcing the 2026 CLS Program Awards
Program Updates
Feb 25, 2026
Approximately 315 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students were selected for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program.
News & Stories
A collection of stories, updates, and coverage highlighting the CLS Program
Featured
CLS Alumni Highlight: Addison Miller
Alumni Impact
Feb 17, 2026
Addison Miller (2024 CLS Chinese) leveraged her experience to shape her path toward a career in international and comparative education.
CLS Alumni Highlight: Sam Bowden
Alumni Impact
Feb 05, 2026
Sam Bowden (2024 CLS Russian) leveraged his interests to build meaningful international connections and launch a career in foreign policy.
Beyond the Lab: The Value of Studying Abroad for STEM Students
CLS Perspectives
Jan 12, 2026
Alex Graber (2025 CLS Japanese) discusses the impact of CLS on his Biology major.
CLS Alumni Highlight: Lucas San Miguel
Alumni Impact
Jan 05, 2026
Coming Full Circle: From CLS Chinese in Nicaragua to Portuguese in Brazil
CLS Alumni: Share Your Story Through the Long-Term Impact Survey!
Program Updates
Jan 05, 2026
Help celebrate 20 years of CLS and help shape its future by taking the Long-Term Impact Survey today!
2026 Alumni Ambassador Application Now Open!
Program Updates
Dec 19, 2025
Apply to be a 2026 CLS Alumni Ambassador!
Announcing the 2025 CLS Program Awards
Program Updates
Mar 17, 2025
Congratulations to the nearly 600 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students selected for the 2025 CLS Program!
The Critical Importance of Learning a Foreign Language in the Military
Alumni Impact
Mar 06, 2025
This blog is written by CLS alumnus Hyunbean Park, an Army Officer and alumnus of the 2024 CLS Russian Program.
Announcing 2024 CLS Alumni Photo Contest Winners
Program Updates
Jan 13, 2025
The CLS team was amazed by the thoughtful entries we received from 2024 alumni and want to thank all the alumni who submitted photos.
CLS Alumnus Begins Life as Rhodes Scholar
Alumni Impact
Jan 06, 2025
CLS Russian scholar begins his graduate studies as a Rhodes Scholar.
2025 Alumni Ambassador Application Now Open!
Program Updates
Dec 19, 2024
Apply to be a 2025 CLS Alumni Ambassador!
Igniting my Arabic Journey with CLS Spark
CLS Perspectives
Nov 12, 2024
Wajiha Mekki shares how her CLS Spark Arabic experience has ignited her passion for Arabic language and culture.
Now Announcing the 2024 Alumni Photo Contest!
Program Updates
Nov 04, 2024
The CLS Program is thrilled to announce the launch of our 2024 Alumni Photo Contest!
Apply for the 2025 CLS Program!
Program Updates
Oct 04, 2024
Apply now to learn a critical language next summer with the 2025 CLS Program!
Announcing 2024-2025 CLS Refresh!
Program Updates
Sep 05, 2024
The CLS Program is pleased to announce another cycle of CLS Refresh, a funded language learning opportunity for CLS alumni.
Latest Press
Academic honors abound for students and faculty across the global network
In the News
Apr 16, 2026
Each year, Northeastern celebrates students and faculty who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, research, or teaching.
Grayslake Central grad lands prestigious federal language scholarship abroad
In the News
Apr 15, 2026
Adam Syed, a University of Illinois student and Grayslake Central High School alum, has earned a U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship to study Mandarin in Taiwan.
Doctoral candidate receives Critical Language Scholar award to study Swahili
In the News
Apr 15, 2026
Driven by a passion for human-animal interaction and local conservation efforts, a Colorado State University doctoral student has received a Critical Language Scholarship to travel to East Africa for an immersive language-learning program.
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"Studying Mandarin opened doors I hadn’t imagined before. It directly helped me secure a position at an association of private equity companies, where my language skills and cultural insights became invaluable." - CLS Chinese Scholar
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