The Asia Pacific Center administers the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship program for East Asia at UCLA, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program. The East Asian FLAS supports graduate and undergraduate training in modern Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language and related area studies.
Summer 2025 fellowships provide a stipend of $3,500*, up to $5,000 in tuition and fees, and up to $1,000 in travel expenses.
The Summer FLAS Fellowship for both graduate and undergraduate students supports intensive summer language study in approved programs in the U.S. and abroad. Approved East Asian languages for Summer 2025 FLAS are Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. (Other languages may be approved on a case-by-case basis.)
* New in summer 2025: The U.S. Department of Education has increased the stipend amount to $3,500.
Academic Year 2025-2026 fellowships provide a total stipend of $20,000 and up to $18,000 of academic year tuition and fees for graduate students; and $5,000 and up to $10,000 in tuition and fees for undergraduates.
The Academic Year FLAS Fellowship requires that students take one East Asian language and one area studies course each quarter for the entire year. New and continuing students in all disciplines may apply for intermediate or advanced levels of language study. The beginning level of a language may be undertaken by graduate students only if the student is already at the advanced level in another East Asian language. Approved East Asian languages for Academic Year 2025-2026 FLAS are Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. (Other languages may be approved on a case-by-case basis.)
Academic year awards may be used for
overseas dissertation research for students who have completed their degree coursework and are at the advanced level of language proficiency, but this must be approved in advance and will be a low priority for consideration in the selection process.
Students must also agree to submit quarterly reports on their progress, submit pre- and post-award language assessments to the U.S. Department of Education, take a pre- and post-award oral proficiency examination with a designated instructor, and report to the U.S. Department of Education every two years for eight years after graduation on the recipient’s occupation and the extent to which the FLAS language is being used.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents.
- Recipients must enroll in full-time study for the duration of their award period.
Since the purpose of the FLAS program is to enrich the nation’s pool of area and international specialists, applicants must be planning to use their training to teach, to serve in government or international agencies, or to engage in other work that advances American understanding of other countries.
Selection for the award is based on the following criteria:
- Academic performance and potential as evidenced by academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose;
- The extent to which overall course of study focuses on East Asia;
- The level of planned language study. More advanced levels are preferred;
- Financial need as determined by past financial aid levels;
- Past awardees may reapply.
These grants may be combined with supplementary funding from UCLA and/or other funding agencies. However in cases of parallel large grants, recipients will have to decide which grant to accept and pairing will not be allowed. Grantees are required to inform the Center of any awards received during the FLAS fellowship period.
Required information includes:
- online application form;
- 1-2 page statement of purpose outlining primary research interests and explaining how language study will enhance the project and/or career goals;
- 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 APC to have this financial aid information verified through the UCLA Financial Aid Office.
Application materials and letters of recommendation must be submitted by the deadline. Please review the FLAS Frequently Asked Questions.
Apply for Summer 2025 FLAS
Apply for Academic Year 2025-26 FLAS