Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Grants

The US Department of Education has designated the Islamic Studies program as a Foreign Language and Area Studies Center. The Islamic Studies Program is the first inter-area Islamic Studies program in the nation to be awarded such funding. As a FLAS Center ISP offers FLAS fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students for students taking Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, and Bengali.

FLAS fellowships support graduate study of modern foreign languages and related area and international studies in preparation for careers in teaching, research, government service, and international organizations.

Application deadlines for 2013 FLAS applications are February 1st for both summer and academic year applicaitons.

ACADEMIC YEAR (requires enrollment in language and area studies courses for both semesters)

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

$5,000 academic year stipend plus maximum tuition award of $10,000 or actual tuition if lower.

Requires enrollment in intermediate level language instruction (second-year level) or higher.

ARTS & SCIENCES GRADUATE STUDENT

$15,000 academic year stipend plus maximum tuition award of 12 credit hours per semester.

Automatic enrollment in the graduate student health insurance plan with the cost of the student premium paid by the fellowship.

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL GRADUATE STUDENT

$15,000 academic year stipend plus tuition award of at least $18,000, or actual tuition if lower.

Automatic enrollment in the graduate student health insurance plan with the cost of the student premium paid by the fellowship.

SUMMER (requires enrollment in intensive language program/courses)

ALL STUDENTS ALL PROGRAMS

$2,500 summer stipend plus tuition award for cost of language course only.

Guidelines for Applications:

To be eligible for an academic year award, graduate students must be admitted to a degree program in a graduate department or school at Indiana University by the beginning of the fellowship period.

All applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

The Islamic Studies Program will only support students who have clearly dedicated their academic careers to the study of Islam in one context or another, or students who have future career or academic objectives in which the study of Islam is a central feature.

Deadline for submission of application and all materials relating to the application for both summer and academic year applications is February 1 with results of the competition announced by early April.

If awarded a FLAS fellowship, the student must undertake an approved program of foreign language and area studies relevant to his/her academic and career goals.

All FLAS applications must be submitted online and can be accessed here.

In addition to the FLAS application, applicants must submit the following supplemental materials:

Three letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all academic institutions you have attended after high school

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to Multiple Centers

Can I submit FLAS applications to the Islamic Studies Program and to another FLAS center?

Yes. Students can always submit a separate FLAS application to the Islamic Studies Program and to another FLAS center, but they are encouraged to keep in mind the focus of the Islamic Studies Program.

Please take the time to redirect the written portion of your application to emphasize how your research agenda, program of study, and/or career goals are relevant to Islamic Studies. Encourage those who are writing letters of recommendation to do so as well.

We also reminds applicants that it is their responsibility to get copies of all documents, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, to the Islamic Studies Program from other centers where they may be applying. These documents may be sent electronically to islmprog@indiana.edu .

Can I use FLAS recommendations and transcripts from another FLAS center for my Global Center FLAS application?

Yes, but it is your responsibility to get copies of all documents, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, to the Islamic Studies Program.

If I am applying to more than one FLAS center, can my online recommendations submitted through the FLAS system be accessed by the two centers, or do those writing my letters of recommendation need to submit them for each application?

You will need to ask those who are writing letters of recommendation for you to submit separate letters to each FLAS center.

Ideally, when you apply for a FLAS fellowship through the Islamic Studies Program, your letters of recommendation will reflect the Islamic Studies focus of your studies; a letter submitted in support of your application to another center may not do this. If possible, you might discuss this with those who are writing your letters, suggesting that in the letter for the Islamic Studies Program they focus on your Islamic Studies focus.

Eligibility

Can you get a FLAS fellowship with any undergraduate or graduate degree?

Yes, FLAS fellowships are open to all majors and degree programs.

Can recent IU graduates apply for FLAS fellowships?

No, only students who are currently enrolled are eligible for FLAS fellowships.

Do I need to be accepted into a degree program before applying for a FLAS fellowship?

No, you do not have to be already accepted into a degree program to apply, but you do need to be accepted into a degree program to receive a FLAS fellowship.

Languages

Can I submit an application for a language not listed on the website?

It is possible to apply for a language not listed on the Islamic Studies list of languages. Please contact wamayreh@indiana.edu early in the process for more information should you be applying for an unlisted language.

Is it possible to submit FLAS applications for more than one language?

Yes, but FLAS applications are highly competitive, so the case you make for learning any language has to be very strong, and you must clearly articulate the reasons for learning both languages.

May I apply for different languages in the Summer and Academic Year?

Yes, if knowledge of more than one language is essential to your program of study. Be sure to demonstrate in your personal statement why you need the second language. Your case for a second language will be stronger if you have already reached an advanced level in one language, or if the second (Summer) language you need is not offered at IU during the academic year.

Is formal language study required prior to applying for a FLAS fellowship?

Graduate students do not need any formal language study prior to applying for a FLAS fellowship, though intermediate and advanced language training is preferred.

Undergraduate students do need prior formal language study and can only apply at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Summer and/or Academic Year FLAS Applications

Can I apply for both an academic year and a summer FLAS? If I do apply for both, do I have to fill out separate applications?

You are encouraged to apply for both academic year and summer FLAS fellowships. Each FLAS fellowship requires a separate application.

Filling Out the Application

Do I need to print and scan a copy of my application or do you access it electronically?

You do not need to print a copy of your application. We are able to access it electronically.

Do I need to submit a separate Personal Statement or is the statement in my online FLAS application enough?

You do not need to send a separate Personal Statement. The essay you complete within the online FLAS application serves as your Personal Statement.

How does one prove or test language proficiency for the FLAS application?

You can estimate your ability on the application itself, then test into the appropriate level course when you arrive on campus.

The online application only allows for the choice of “IU” or “abroad” as locations of study. I am studying at a location in the United States that is not IU. Which do I choose?

You should select “abroad” if that is the only option other than “IU.”

Supporting Documents

Do Indiana University students need to send official IU transcripts?

No. In the case of Indiana University transcripts only, the Islamic Studies Program will accept a pdf or printout of your unofficial IU transcript, accessed through your OneStart page.

Are you able to access my academic transcripts online or do I need to submit them to the Islamic Studies Program?

It is your responsibility to get copies of all transcripts to the Islamic Studies Program.

Do I need to submit a copy of my GRE scores with my FLAS application?

No, your GRE scores are submitted as part of your online FLAS application.

I listed several schools I attended on my application, but I have no formal transcripts for those schools (for whatever reason). How should I handle this?

If you have listed schools attended on your FLAS application but have no transcripts for those schools, please send an email to islmprog@indiana.eduexplaining the reason for the missing transcripts. This email will be placed in your FLAS file, offering an explanation of what appear to be “missing” transcripts to the review committee.

Can I send in more than three letters of recommendation?

Yes, you may. Including a fourth letter is good insurance in case one of your referees does not submit a letter for any reason.

Can materials from my Academic Year application be copied into my Summer file?

Yes, upon request. If you are applying for both Academic Year and Summer awards this year, you may ask the FLAS coordinator to copy your transcripts and letters of recommendation submitted in support of your Academic Year application into the Summer file. We encourage you to request a second set of recommendations if the language you wish to study in the summer is different from the one you are seeking to study during the academic year.

I am a previous FLAS recipient through the Global Center. Is it possible to have copies of my transcripts transferred from last year’s file into my file for this year?

Yes, you can contact the Islamic Studies Program (islmprog@indiana.edu) to make that arrangement.

Is it okay if my letters of recommendation, transcripts, or other supporting materials are received after the fellowship deadline?

No, we expect all applications and supporting materials to be received by the deadline (February 1st). It is your responsibility to inform the Islamic Studies Program if any supporting materials will be arriving after the deadline.

FLAS RECIPIENT REQUIREMENTS

The FLAS guidelines state that fellowship recipients “must undertake full-time study during the tenure of the award.” Does that mean full-time language and content area studies?

FLAS recipients must be full-time students enrolled in at least one 3-credit language course and one 3-credit Islamic Studies course. Additional course requirements may apply, depending on your individual course of study. Contact wamayreh@indiana.edu for more information.

Beyond classwork, is anything required of FLAS Fellows?

All fellows will be required to fill out pre- and post-award reports for the US Department of Education and will be surveyed periodically in the years following their award. In addition, all fellows must take pre- and post-award proficiency assessments. FLAS fellows are also required to participate in Islamic Studies surveys and activities designed specifically to track your language process.

Notifications and Awards

How will I know if my application has been received?

You may email the Islamic Studies Program at islmprog@indiana.edu if you want to check on the status of a specific part of your application, but please understand that the processing of fellowship applications is very time consuming. We will respond to your request as soon as possible.

Will you contact me if I do/don’t get a FLAS award? When will I be contacted?

Everyone, regardless of whether or not they are chosen to receive a FLAS fellowship, will be contacted by the end of March.

Is there a limit on the number of FLAS fellowships I can receive?

There is no limit on the number of sequential FLAS awards one person may receive, but no more than one concurrent award can be accepted.

How does FLAS work with SWSEEL?

You are encouraged to apply for a FLAS Fellowship in conjunction with your plans to attend SWSEEL. Your Summer FLAS application to support your study during SWSEEL is due February 1st. This date is well before the SWSEEL application deadline! You must also fill out a separate application per SWSEEL's own application process. If you have a different question relating to SWSEEL and the use of FLAS, do not hesitateto contact SWSEEL directly.

If you have questions about the Islamic Studies Program's FLAS fellowships please contact FLAS Coordinator and Program Coordinator Wafa Amayreh (wamayreh@indiana.edu).

Islamic Studies Program
Weatherly Hall 114
400 N. Sunrise Drive
Bloomington, Indiana 47406
Phone: (812) 856-3977
Fax: (812) 855-2600
islmprog@indiana.edu