What is FLAS?

The Canadian-American Center at the University of Maine is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Resource Center on Canada. As part of its mission, the Center provides federally-funded, Academic Year and Summer FLAS (Foreign Language and Areas Studies) Awards to support the bilingual research of M.A. and Ph.D. candidates whose focus is on Canada.

Summer FLAS Awards are specifically aimed at developing language skills. These awards are open, on a competitive basis, to students wishing to improve their proficiency in French as a tool for graduate research. See below for details.

Features of the program:

• Candidates must be willing to commit to six-weeks of intensive French study. Programs suitable for the goals of a Summer FLAS Award are generally more available in Canada than in the United States.
• A $2,500 subsistence allowance is provided to pay for room and board.
• Tuition is covered up to $4,000.
• Travel expenses can be defrayed up to $250 if funds are available.
• FLAS Awards are available only to US citizens and permanent residents.
• Graduate students who are not matriculating at the University of Maine can be considered for a Summer FLAS if their home institution receives FLAS support, regardless of the language of the award.

The application process:

Applicants must complete the application form available here and send it, along with a copy of their  graduate transcript and a letter of support from their major (thesis) advisor by April 15th to:

Prof. Raymond J. Pelletier, Associate Director, Canadian-American Center, 154 College Avenue, Orono, ME 04473

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