Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
Purpose and Description
The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships are awarded annually on a competitive basis for the academic year and for summer study. 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. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. These fellowships are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. IEAS, as a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center, administers the FLAS fellowship selection process for UC Berkeley students studying East Asia, while the Graduate Division disburses the funds. The application deadline is in late January.
For the academic year, the fellowships provide funding to students to encourage the study of less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area and international studies. The Academic Year FLAS Fellowship covers registration fees up to $18,000 and provides a stipend of $20,000.
Summer FLAS awards are available for to study either in the U.S. or overseas. Overseas language programs must meet the standards for course instruction and contact hours set by the U.S. Department of Education. In general, overseas programs are only open for students planning to study at an advanced level.
The Summer FLAS Fellowship covers language program fees up to $5,000 and provides a stipend of $2,500.
2024-25 FLAS Fellowship Competition
FLAS fellowships are available for graduate students in East Asian languages for the study of Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, and Tibetan for Academic Year 2024-25 and Summer 2024.
The Graduate Division website provides full details for the FLAS program on campus, including the most current deadlines and the application link.
Please also note that an additional part of the application provides competitive preference to applicants who demonstrate financial need as evidenced by submission of the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
Questions? Contact Dylan Davis, Associate Director, Institute of East Asian Studies, davisds@berkeley.edu