ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, hold a bachelor's degree at the time graduate study is to begin, be admitted to a graduate program at a university, and undertake a combination of African language and Area Study courses. Graduate students may carry no more than 33% time assistantship while holding a FLAS fellowship. Current fellows may apply for continuation of support through the normal application procedures for up to two years of funding. Only the languages listed above are approved. Students not currently enrolled at the university should inform the Center for African Studies and their disciplinary department of their intent to apply for this competition.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applications must be submitted by the student's home department. The following must be submitted:
The FLAS application form (check for form at website mid-October 2006).
- Statement of purpose (include a description of prior language training).
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members.
- Language evaluation/recommendation from a language instructor.
- Transcript including most recent semester’s coursework.
- Application for Graduate Appointment or Graduate College Application.
- Completed Graduate College Rating Form with Departmental ranking.
A statement of purpose (1-2 pages in length) include:
a) Description of the proposed program of study
b) Its relation to African Studies
c) Description of prior language trainining
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated based on academic performance and potential, and Africanist interest. The following criteria are used:
- academic achievement and potential as indicated by GRE score, GPA and letters of recommendations;
- area commitment as reflected in transcripts and statement of purpose
Strong applications will explain the contribution of language study to the applicant's long-term research or career objectives. The selection committee utilizes a point-based evaluation form that awards points based on a) and b) above. Additional points can be awarded if:
- the applicant is in a professional school and/or plans to enter government service;
- the applicant is seeking support for language training at the advanced level (year three and above);
- the applicant is from an under-represented group
The Center commits itself to students for one year at a time. A FLAS fellowship for the second year is only awarded when the reapplying student is successful in a new competition. Applications for dissertation research, or for students who have already achieved proficiency in an African language will not be considered.
Send applications to:
FLAS Committee
Center for African Studies
210 International Studies Building
910 S. Fifth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
DEADLINE FOR ACADEMIC YEAR FLAS
APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 16, 2007
Summer 2007
Joint Area Information & Form
