CLS Spark
Overview
Description
CLS Spark is a virtual initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. The program is designed for US undergraduates committed to learning languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. CLS Spark provides students with the opportunity to take virtual summer classes in Arabic, Chinese, or Russian and is intended for students with no formal classroom experience in their target language. Alumni of the CLS Spark program will receive automatic consideration as semifinalists for CLS Progam’s overseas summer institutes the following year.
Award
Participants of CLS Spark will receive:
- Language instruction and cultural programming;
- Textbooks and language learning materials
- Language gains certified using the widely-recognized ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) assessment
- Non-competitive eligibility for US government employment for up to three years after the program completion;
- Academic credit issued through Bryn Mawr College; and
- A stipend towards equipment and connectivity costs (for example, a web camera or microphone).
The following costs will not be covered:
- The cost of necessary equipment (for example, a new laptop);
- The cost of phone or internet connectivity plans
- Living expenses; or
- Physical and mental health expenses.
Eligibility
- Be a US citizen or national at the time of application.
- Be at least 18 years old by May prior to participating in CLS.
- Be enrolled in an accredited US degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) level at the time of application (not at the time of the program; this means seniors are eligible to apply).
- Applicants in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor's) must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program in summer (not at the time of application; first-years are eligible to apply).
- Applicants must be enrolled at this institution in the fall term during which they are applying. Limited exceptions to the enrollment requirement can be found at this link.
- Applicants may only apply for one language/level each year.
- Applicants must have no formal classroom training in the language for which they are applying.
- Employees in several offices of the US Department of State and their immediate family members may be considered ineligible for CLS. Seek guidance if you think you might be in this situation.
Selection Criteria
- Impact of participation in CLS Spark, considering an applicant’s access to language learning opportunities.
- Academic, personal, and professional goals and their relatedness to the opportunity provided by CLS Spark.
- Readiness to successfully complete an online language program.
- Candidates’ unique backgrounds and experiences and their potential contributions to ECA’s mission of building mutual understanding between the American people and the people of other nations.
How to Apply
- Start thinking about CLS Spark in August or September of the year you intend to apply.
- Learn about the award: visit the program’s website; check your eligibility, including the language prerequisites, and read about alumni from the program.
- Reach out to Associate Director for Intercultural Learning, Anita Deeg Carlin to shape your strategy for this application and your broader plans.
- Seek additional input. Reach out to people who know you: could a friend or family member read your essays and offer feedback? Consider bringing your essay to the Writing Workshop.
- Revise your application materials on your own before the national deadline in November.
- Final CLS Spark decisions should be expected in March.