Latin America Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

The U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship program supports training in modern foreign languages and related area studies.  

LAI approved languages are Nahuatl, Portuguese, and Quechua. 

The Academic Year FLAS Fellowship requires that students study a less commonly taught language of Latin America at an intermediate level or above during the award period. Students must take one LAI approved language and one area studies course every quarter for the entire year. New and continuing students in all disciplines may apply for Intermediate or Advanced levels of language study. Beginning level of a language may be undertaken by graduate students only if the student is already at advanced level in another Latin American language.

Academic Year 2022-23 FLAS

Academic year graduate awards provide up to $18,000 toward tuition and fees and a $20,000 stipend. Academic year undergraduate awards provide up to $10,000 toward tuition and fees and a $5,000 stipend. Awardees must take one language course and one area studies course (that is, a course with at least 25% Latin America-related content) each quarter during the academic year. The language course must be at the intermediate level or higher. Graduate students may take beginning-level courses if they are already fluent in another Latin American language, usually Spanish. Courses must be taken for a letter grade; pass/fail is not accepted. 

Please note:

FLAS awards are contingent on the Latin American Institute receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022-2026 grant cycle. Should UCLA’s application for this funding be unsuccessful, these awards will be canceled. We should know by the end of the spring quarter. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Recipients must enroll in full-time study for the duration of their award period.

Required application materials includes:

• online application form;
• 1-2 page statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s interest in Latin America and how learning the language will help them achieve academic and career goals. Applicants should also indicate how they will use the language in areas of national need, such as teaching, government service, NGO work, or other work that advances U.S. understanding of other countries;
• 2 academic/professional letters of recommendation;
• unofficial UCLA transcripts and transcripts from other institutions for previous degrees or for transfer students;
• resume or CV.

Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need by competing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If students want their financial need to be considered in the selection process for this fellowship, students can give authorization to the LAI on the online application form to have this financial aid information verified through the UCLA Financial Aid Office.

Deadline: February 25, 2022

APPLY HERE

For more information please contact:
Bryan Pitts
bpitts@international.ucla.edu