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

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

Click here to learn about the NSLI-Y application.

NSLI-Y semi-finalists:

Click here for information on finalist notification.

NSLI-Y 2012-2013 scholarship notifications are currently being sent out via e-mail on a rolling basis. American Councils will continue to send out notifications until April 20. Please check the primary e-mail address you provided in your application for this notification.

Please note that NSLI-Y staff is unable to provide applicant status information to individuals before official notification is sent. We are working hard to complete the process as quickly as possible and thank you for your patience.

Click here for the NSLI-Y Medical Form.

All NSLI-Y 2012-2013 semi-finalists are required to submit the official NSLI-Y Medical Evaluation Form. This completed form must be postmarked by March 5, 2012.

Click here for the form and mailing instructions.

Please do not contact NSLI-Y program staff to confirm that your medical forms have been received. Should you be selected for a scholarship or as an alternate, and we have not received your medical forms, you will be contacted and asked to submit them immediately.

If you have been selected as a semi-finalist and do not currently hold a valid U.S. passport, we strongly advise that you apply for one before March 1, 2012.

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