Critical National Security Languages (CNSL) Grant
Forecasted
Critical National Security Languages (CNSL) Grant supports Virginia public school divisions by funding teaching positions to provide courses in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian.
Funder: Virginia Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $250,000 per fiscal year for FY2027 and FY2028; awards support eligible teaching positions in full or in part
Summary: Supports Virginia public school divisions’ teaching positions for Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian courses.
Key Information: Funds must support eligible teaching salaries and benefits and cannot replace funding already committed to the project.
Description
The Critical National Security Languages (CNSL) Grant is a competitive program administered by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for Virginia public school divisions offering critical world language courses. It supports, in full or in part, full-time equivalent teaching positions that provide those courses. The identified languages for the FY2027–2028 award cycle are Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian.
Established through the Appropriations Act in 2023, the program supports languages identified as critical by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program. Award selection considers teacher experience and qualifications, student interest, class size, student-to-teacher ratios, and the number of courses to be taught. Funding for each new grant cycle depends on renewed appropriations from the Virginia General Assembly.
