Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

The National Resource Center on the Middle East and North Africa (NRC-MENA) is pleased to offer Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. FLAS Fellowships are available for the study of modern Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish.

The fellowships aim to provide training in these languages in order to meet the national need for specialists on the Middle East region. Successful applicants should demonstrate long-term interest in the MENA region and show potential for superior academic achievement based on academic record.

Fellowship Types and Amounts:

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be:

• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Enrolled full-time and a continuing student
• At the intermediate-level in a MENA FLAS language​*
• Undergraduate students must demonstrate financial need**

* Graduate students who have already obtained proficiency in at least one Middle Eastern language may apply for a FLAS to study another Middle Eastern language at the beginner level.

** The FLAS selection process considers both merit and financial need. Undergraduate applicants in particular must demonstrate financial need.

Applications are due February 28th, 2025 for Summer 2025 FLAS.

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ACADEMIC YEAR FLAS FELLOWSHIPS

The academic year competition is open to current Georgetown students only. 

Academic Year FLAS Fellowships allow full-time undergraduate and graduate students to study intermediate, advanced, and post-advanced Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. Graduate students who have already obtained proficiency in at least one Middle Eastern language may apply for a FLAS to study another Middle Eastern language at the beginner level.

AY FLAS Fellows must take at least one Middle Eastern language course and one MENA area studies course per term during the award year.

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SUMMER FLAS FELLOWSHIPS

Summer FLAS is open to continuing Georgetown and non-Georgetown students. 

Summer FLAS Fellowships allow full-time undergraduate and graduate students to complete the equivalent of one academic year of Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish during the summer.

FLAS Fellowships may be used for domestic or international study. Programs should be:

• Minimum of six weeks long
• 140 contact hours for students at the intermediate level OR 120 contact hours for students at the advanced level

Please note that the $5,000 tuition and fees award can only be used to cover tuition and related fees, such as textbooks. It cannot be used to cover transportation, accommodation, or meals.

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Summer 2025 Application Procedure

 

1) Submit the online application form, which includes:

•  Biographical and language questions
•  Financial information (for undergrads: FAFSA data, if submitted)
•  Names of 2 recommenders who will be contacted if you are selected as a finalist

2) Upload the following materials:

1. Statement of Purpose: This should be no more than 500 words and should address why you are applying for a FLAS Fellowship, your commitment to the field of Middle East Studies, your relevant prior language training, how language acquisition and area studies training is integral to your degree program and long- term goals, and how your long-term academic and career plans relate to the goals of the FLAS Program.
2. Resume or C.V.
3. Unofficial Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts (including language courses): Please note that if you are a Georgetown graduate student using GU Experience to obtain your transcripts, some language classes may be listed on an undergraduate transcript. It is your responsibility to submit all transcripts documenting all relevant classes.

The Summer 2025 application deadline is February 28th, 2025, at 11:59 PM. APPLY NOW.

For more information about FLAS, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For inquiries about FLAS, please email us at MENAFLAS@georgetown.edu.