LRCCS awarded competitive federal funding

The University of Michigan International Institute (II) will receive over $11 million from the U.S. Department of Education through its competitive Title VI program. Six of the II’s area studies centers, including Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS), received Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. Five centers - again, one of which is LRCCS - have been named National Resource Centers (NRCs). U-M is one of only two universities in Michigan to receive these awards.

“As federal funding is decreasing and more universities are competing for fewer dollars, U-M continues to be recognized as a national leader in language and area studies training,” said Pauline Jones Luong, director of the International Institute. “These awards (NRC and FLAS) reflect the depth and breadth of U-M faculty’s international expertise, the strength of our graduate programs, and the commitment of center directors and staff,” she added.

FLAS grants are awarded to enable undergraduate and graduate students to study modern foreign languages and to develop regional expertise. NRCs serve as repositories for teaching modern foreign languages, and support research and training in international studies and world affairs. These recognitions will enable the II to continue its mission of internationalizing undergraduate- and graduate-level education and disseminating critical knowledge on international issues and events.

The centers receiving FLAS are: the East Asia National Resource Center [consisting of Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS), Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), and Nam Center for Korean Studies (NCKS)]; Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS); Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS); Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES); Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS); and Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS).

The centers named NRCs are: the East Asia Center [consisting of LRCCS, CJS, and NCKS]; CMENAS; LACS; CSAS; and CSEAS.