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Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

for the 2008 - 2009 Academic Year

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ALL PAPERS RELATING TO THE ACADEMIC YEAR FLAS APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 15, 2008

Fellowships for graduate studies in African languages and area studies are expected to be available at Michigan State University through a grant under Title VI of the Higher Education Act from the U.S. Department of Education.

Languages

Awards at Michigan State University are given for the study of African languages subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Education. The languages offered for the academic year 2008 - 2009 are:

*Bold denotes languages offered in a class mode. All others are on a tutorial basis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship, applicant must:

• hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent by the time study under the fellowship would begin.
• be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident.
• be admitted to study by the appropriate graduate department at Michigan State University.
• undertake an approved program of African language and area studies.

Applicants will be favored who (1) have clear promise of completing a Ph.D. program with concentration in African language and area studies, (2) plan to utilize their training in field research in Africa, and (3) have excellent academic records as evidenced by course grades, recommendations, Graduate Record Examination scores, and other information.

FLAS awards cover most of the cost of normal core college tuition and fees at Michigan State University plus a basic stipend of $15,000 for the academic year (Fall and Spring). Annual renewal of the grant is subject to continuation of the Title VI program and the performance of the recipient.

Graduate Programs

The African Studies Center faculty is composed of scholars in the following fields:

Candidates for the FLAS fellowships are expected to specialize in African area studies. They may major in any discipline, preferably those represented by faculty of the Center. FLAS fellows must take one course in African language each semester and two courses in African area studies each academic year.

Application Procedure

Applicants for FLAS fellowships are advised to provide the following:

1. a completed application form, to be available late fall from the African Studies Center online.If you do not have access to the internet to complete the application contact us at (517) 353-1700.  We will e-mail you with a PDF version of the application form upon request.
2. transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate course-work.
3. at least two letters of reference on forms provided online by the African Studies Center, plus an additional third one from the instructor if the applicant has taken a formal African language course during the last two years.
4. Graduate Record Examination scores.

Candidates must have completed application procedures by February 15, 2008. Applications are to be mailed to:

African Studies Center, Michigan State University
100 International Center, East Lansing, MI 48824-1035
Phone: (517) 353-1700, Fax: (517) 432-1209

For information about FLAS fellowships, contact:
Dr. Yacob Fisseha, Assistant Director, African Studies Center
100 International Center, (517) 353-1700
e-mail: fisseha@msu.edu

• Eligibility and Benefits
• Application Form
• Recommendation Form
• Summer African Language Institute

A US Department of Education Title VI-Funded African National Resource Center