Summer Language Grants

abroad

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS SUMMER LANGUAGE ABROAD PROGRAM

Building on years of collaboration with the Office of International Studies, the College of Arts & Letters, in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures, is pleased to announce the launch of a new and significantly more ambitious Summer Language Abroad (SLA) Grant Program competition for undergraduate and graduate students. The SLA Grant Program is intended to support individual proposals for summer foreign language study abroad—or, when appropriate, intensive domestic language study—via awards of up to $5,500.

PLEASE NOTE: THE 2010 SUMMER LANGUAGE ABROAD GRANT PROGRAM CRITERIA AND PROPOSAL PROCESS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 19, 2009.

PROGRAM GOALS

  • The SLA Grant Program is intended to support summer foreign language acquisition among students with a compelling rationale for language study abroad

ELIGIBILITY

  • All undergraduate and graduate students currently majoring or minoring in a College of Arts and Letters program are encouraged to apply—this includes all foreign language majors and minors
  • Applicants should have at least one year of foreign language study or its equivalent*
  • Applicants should be in good academic standing and enrolled in Notre Dame coursework during the semester following summer language study (i.e. no graduating seniors)


*Any requests for exceptions to these or other proposal criteria should be directed to the Director of the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures

FORMAT

  • Awards will be limited to programs of foreign language acquisition only. Programs of foreign language research or cultural study will not be funded.

  • Proposals should generally include 20-hours of foreign language classroom instruction per week over approximately 6 weeks (or approximately 120 hours of total instruction). Requests for exceptions should be directed to the Director of the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures.

  • While foreign language study abroad is emphasized in this grant program, study of less commonly taught or ancient languages in a domestic context is also possible

FUNDING

  • Meritorious proposals will be funded according to demonstrated need via itemized budgets and availability of funds up to a maximum of $5,500.


Note: The SLA Grant can be combined with other funds only with the express approval of the Director of the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures.

EXPECTATIONS

  • Successful applicants must participate in a mandatory orientation program before their study abroad period

  • Successful applicants will be required to undergo language proficiency testing before and after their summer language study

  • Applicants who receive funding will also be asked to provide a written, oral or multimedia account of their experiences to the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures upon reentry

PROPOSAL PROCESS

All applicants must complete the online SLA Proposal Form The online ‘SLA Proposal Form’ will require applicants to provide demographic and academic data alongside the following information and materials:


  1. A detailed ‘Language Program Description’ and supporting documentation of the proposed institution providing foreign language instruction in country [see online ‘SLA Proposal Form’]

  2. A detailed and itemized ‘Proposal Budget’ of basic travel, accommodation and language study costs for which funding is being requested [see online ‘SLA Proposal Form’]

  3. A compelling rationale for summer language study abroad in the form of a clear and concise ‘Statement of Purpose’ of no more than 250 words [see online ‘SLA Proposal Form’]

  4. A brief 250 word ‘Action Plan’ detailing how opportunities for language acquisition will be pursued both inside and outside of the classroom [see online ‘SLA Proposal Form’]

  5. Name and contact information for a faculty reference who can evaluate the character and aptitude of the applicant—foreign language faculty preferred but not required


In addition to the completion of the online ‘SLA Proposal Form,’ applicants must also submit hard copies of the following materials to the CSLC main desk in 329 DeBartolo Hall:


  1. A completed Sponsored Travel Approval Form requesting permission to travel abroad from the Notre Dame Provost’s Office
  2. A copy of unofficial transcripts indicating that the applicant is in good academic standing
  3. Any additional supporting documentation (if applicable) that could not be provided via the online proposal process

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

  • Individuals interested in submitting a proposal should make every effort to attend the ‘SLA Grant Information Session’ on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:00pm in room 126 DeBartolo Hall.

  • All applicants should complete the online SLA Proposal Form and submit a copy of unofficial transcripts to the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures, 329 DeBartolo Hall.

  • In order to receive consideration, all proposals must be completed via the online SLA Proposal Form and all supporting documentation submitted to the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures by the final deadline of 5:00pm, March 6

REVIEW & SELECTION

  • Proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of faculty from the College of Arts and Letters and the Office of International Studies.
  • Strong candidates with proposals providing a compelling rationale for foreign language study, accompanied by a clear plan of action for foreign language learning, will be selected by March 23

If you have questions about the SLA Grant Program or any of its criteria, please contact the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures, 329 DeBartolo Hall, at (574) 631-5881 or cslc@nd.edu

Street Scene

Summer Language Grants

Study Abroad