Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

The Center for African Studies provides Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships through funding from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program. FLAS Fellowships support students taking African languages (Amharic, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu) and area studies coursework. The fellowships support intensive for-credit study of an African language and to promote the development of competency in African Studies either in the United States or abroad.

Costs covered by the three types of fellowships are as follows:

• Academic Year Graduate Fellowships provide $18,000 tuition and $15,000 fixed living stipend.
• Academic Year Undergraduate Fellowships provide $10,000 tuition and a $5,000 fixed living stipend.
• Summer fellowships provide $5,000 tuition and $2,500 for living expenses for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Academic Year Program

• Be a full-time Howard University graduate or undergraduate student.
• Be a US citizen, national or permanent resident.
• Propose a course of study for the academic year that includes both an African language and an African area studies (non-language) course each semester (Fall & Spring). 
• FLAS funds can only be allotted to students in the intermediate or advanced levels. An exception might be made for graduate students at the beginning level of a less commonly taught language if the graduate student has achieved advanced proficiency in another language of the world area of specialization, and if learning a second language of that world area is required for the student’s overall training and expertise.
• All overseas program requests must be approved by the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) program officer at the US. Department of Education.

Summer Program

• Summer fellowships provide students with an opportunity to undertake intensive African language study in any US Department of Education (USDE) approved program.
• Summer fellowships cover tuition and fees at the host institution (up to $5,000) and provide a stipend of $2,500. Travel awards may also be available. However, the traveler must certify that their proposed international itinerary is in compliance with the Fly America Act and/or Open Skies agreement.

• A summer fellowship is awarded only for intensive language study.
• A summer fellowship may be used at a domestic program, an overseas program or both.
• All overseas program requests must be approved by the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) program officer at the US. Department of Education.
• Field trips and excursions cannot be used to fulfill the contact hour requirements
• Students should receive grades and credits for the language courses.
• A student may meet the required number of weeks and contact hours by attending one program, attending more than one program, or supplementing hours with private tutoring, as long as the required total number of weeks and contact hours is obtained. If a student’s plan of study includes private tutoring, the FLAS coordinator must submit a syllabus for the tutoring and the instructor’s CV.
• A summer session qualifies (domestic or overseas) as intensive language program if-
  • It is at least six weeks in duration and  offers at least 120 contact hours of instruction for students at the advance level
  • it is at least six weeks in duration and offers at least 140 contact hours for students at the beginning or intermediate level of the language

Process

1. Register

Select the appropriate online award that best suits your application (eligibility information is specific to each award). Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

Login to the award with your email and password.

3. Create

Create your online application. Please review the FLAS Fellowships Eligibility Requirements to ensure your eligibility.

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, submit your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the The Center For African Studies Administrator.