About NSLI-Y

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides full, merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.

NSLI-Y is part of a broader government-wide presidential initiative that prepares American citizens to be leaders in a global world. Now more than ever, it is important that Americans have the necessary linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to promote international dialogue and support American engagement abroad. NSLI-Y aims to provide opportunities to American youth that will spark a lifetime interest in language learning.

Previous language study is not required, and language learners of all levels are encouraged to apply.

NSLI-Y Programs

NSLI-Y programs offer intensive language immersion in a variety of locations around the world. Scholarships are available for students to learn the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Hindi
• Korean

• Persian (Tajik)
• Russian
• Turkish

Programs may take place in the following locations:

• China
• Egypt
• India
• Jordan
• Korea
• Morocco

• Russia
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Other locations
  around the world

Apply Now

If you have a passion for learning languages and want to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, this program may be for you!

The application period for 2012-2013 programs has closed as of November 8, 2011. Applications will be available for 2013-2014 programs beginning in late summer, 2012.

NSLI-Y semi-finalists: Click here to download the NSLI-Y Medical Form.

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