FLAS Fellowships

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships

The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Program is the flagship funding source for the study of South Asian languages and area studies at the University of Washington.

NEW: SUMMER FLAS STIPEND INCREASED FROM $2,500 TO $3,500 STARTING SUMMER 2024!

Current & Recent FLAS Fellows | Application & More Information

FLAS has enabled me to expand my language skills in order to discuss current issues and topics that are interesting to me, from cybersecurity to environmental issues. It has also opened up a world of literature, poetry, documentaries, and art that I am excited to continue exploring.

Yogasai Gazula, B.A. International Studies (2021), South Asia FLAS Fellow in Sanskrit (2019-20) and Hindi (Summer 2020 and 2020-21)

FLAS Fellowships support undergraduate, graduate and professional students in acquiring modern foreign languages and area or international studies competencies. Students from all programs and departments are encouraged to apply. FLAS Fellowships are available to US citizens and permanent residents.

Contingent on funding from the US Department of Education, the South Asia Center annually offers Academic Year and Summer FLAS Fellowships in Bangla, Hindi, Persian, and Urdu.

FLAS Fellows receive:

  • Academic Year Graduate: $18,000 tuition + $20,000 living stipend
  • Academic Year Undergraduate: $10,000 tuition + $5,000 living stipend
  • Summer Graduate/Undergraduate: $5,000 tuition + $3,500 living stipend

Academic Year Fellowships support language study and area studies coursework at the University of Washington. For examples of South Asia area course offerings, visit the South Asia Center Courses page. (Note: an “area studies” course is one which is directly focused on your world region, or a course in which 25% or more of the content is focused on the world region. The South Asia Center and Fellowships Manager will work with fellows to determine course eligibility.)

Summer Fellowships support intensive summer language study only (no area studies coursework required). Fellows typically attend summer language programs at the South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI) in Madison, Wisconsin, or one of the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) centers in India, or another approved program.

Other South Asian languages: In rare circumstances, students may be awarded to study other South Asian languages. Please note that the South Asia Center reviews each of these requests and will make a determination on whether a student may apply for another language on a case-by-case basis. All academic year and summer fellowships in other South Asian languages must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Application Deadline: January 31, 2024

For application instructions, detailed eligibility requirements, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the JSIS FLAS website: https://jsis.washington.edu/advise/funding/flas/