The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program. CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. Only certain languages are offered.

The NSEP Boren Scholarship and Fellowship programs support the study of critical languages abroad specifically in regions and countries outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The focus of the Boren is on geographical areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. There is a preference for year-long language study and there is a service requirement to work for the U.S. Department of State.