The Sigur Center is pleased to offer a grant for the study of any Asian language in a relevant country. All language study must be conducted in the relevant country of the language and applicants need to confirm acceptance into a language program before leaving. Language programs must be at least 8 weeks long. If you also intend on taking part in an internship over the summer, it must be completed either before or after the language program.

This grant is open to all GW B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. students regardless of nationality. Preference is given to applicants who must pass a language proficiency exam in order to complete their degree requirements.

* Applicants can only apply to one type of grant. Those selected for these grants must submit four blog posts (two written posts and two video blog posts) throughout the course of the program and then participate in an informal discussion with Sigur Center staff and other language grant recipients about your experience abroad during the following academic year. Application should include current resume, statement of purpose, information about the proposed language program, budget, two letters of recommendation, and GW transcripts.

** Please note that the Sigur Center has substantial funding specifically dedicated to sending students to study Chinese in Taiwan. We strongly recommend that, if you would like to study Chinese abroad, you apply for a program in Taiwan. Students are welcome to apply to both Sigur and Taiwan Education and Research Program awards, but will only be awarded one grant.

The Sigur Center offers summer field research grants in Asia for George Washington University graduate students (M.A. or Ph.D.) interested in Asian affairs, regardless of nationality. These awards provide funding for travel, living, and research expenses while doing fieldwork in an Asian country. Preference is given to Ph.D. applicants who are in their third or fourth year of study, or whom can otherwise demonstrate the necessity of the grant towards conducting research related to their thesis.

* Applicants can only apply to one type of grant. Those selected for these grants must submit two blog posts throughout the course of the program and present their findings at a roundtable discussion during the following academic year. Applications should include current resume, project proposal, budget, two letters of recommendation, and GW transcripts.

The U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Program provides summer fellowships to institutions of higher education. The grant to GW, written by the Institute for Middle East Studies and the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, assists graduate (M.A. and Ph.D.), professional students (J.D., MPH, DrPH, MBA and M.D.), and undergraduate students to further language study and area/international studies. The Summer FLAS fellowships are intended to help students gain the equivalent of a year’s worth of college-level language study. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Note: FLAS fellows may travel to any country that the State Department has listed as Level 1 or 2. Level 3 countries will be reviewed on a case by case basis. For countries like Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Israel, approval will depend on where in the country the fellow wants to study. Applicants should check the State Department’s website periodically and have an alternative country in case a designation changes or the country is not approved. FLAS fellows are not allowed to travel to any country that the State Department has listed as a Level 4.

More information on FLAS is also available through the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.

The U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship Program provides academic year fellowships to institutions of higher education. The grant to GW, written by the Institute for Middle East Studies and the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, assists graduate (M.A. and Ph.D) and professional students (JD, MPH, DrPH, MBA and MD) to further language study and area/international studies. (Executive Education students are not eligible. Online programs are also not eligible.) The number of awards is contingent on funding. Information found on this page relates to Academic Year FLAS Fellowships only. For other inquiries, please visit our FAQ page. Subscribe to our newsletters to be notified when applications open.

Committee decisions are final. Due to the high volume of applications received for this fellowship, feedback on decisions cannot be provided to applicants. We will not make exceptions on late submissions.

More information on FLAS is also available through the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.