FLAS details

Academic Year 2010-2011

Applications are invited for the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships for African Language and Area Study at the Masters and Doctoral levels at the University of Illinois under the Higher Education Act, Title VI. Pending funding from the U.S. Department of Education , the Center for African Studies will award fellowships for the 2010-2011 academic year for African Area Studies, which include the study of an African language. The Center is proposing to offer fellowships for the study of Arabic, Bamana, Lingala, Swahili, Wolof, and Zulu. Fellowship recipients will be required to enroll in an approved language course for both semesters. African Studies 522 (Development of African Studies), and LIS 530M (Bibliography of Africa) are also required, unless one or both have already been completed. No exceptions to this requirement will be considered. Individuals who come from historically under-represented groups (women and ethnic minorities) are especially encouraged to apply, as are applicants who combine Area Studies with work in a professional curriculum or who intend to pursue government service.

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 and former FLAS students may re-apply for continuation of support through the normal application procedures. 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

1. Applications must be submitted by the student's home department. See the FLAS web site for details, application, and submission instructions (link directly to the application information ).

2. Statement of purpose (1-2 pages in length). Include the following information:

1. Description of the proposed program of study
2. Its relation to African Studies
3. 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:

1. Academic achievement and potential as indicated by GRE score, GPA and letters of recommendations
2. 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 (1) and (2) 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. Awards are limited to two years for each student except for summer. 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 13, 2010