Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- ED-GRANTS-061526-001
- Agency
-
Department of Education
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Education
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- Kurrinn Abrams mece@ed.gov (202) 987-1920
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of Education, in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is soliciting applications for the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program (Assistance Listing 84.021C) with an application deadline of July 15, 2026. Estimated total available funding is $10,193,170, with expected awards of 2–4 grants ranging from $2,550,000 to $5,100,000 each for 36-month project periods. The program does not allow indirect costs and requires no cost sharing.
Eligible applicants include public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education, state departments of education, public or private nonprofit educational organizations, and consortia of such entities. The program supports visits and study in foreign countries by teachers and prospective teachers to improve skill in modern foreign languages and knowledge of foreign cultures, and finances visits by foreign teachers to the United States for participation in foreign language training and area studies.
All applicants must address two Absolute Priorities: projects promoting modern foreign language training and area studies for prospective teachers and teachers, and projects designed to provide education on founding documents and patriotic education (understanding American civics, history, literature, and Western civilization influences on American political tradition). A Competitive Preference Priority offers up to 10 additional points for projects carried out by entities identified, designated, or endorsed by a Governor or Chief State Education Official.
Selection is based on need (10 points), significance (15 points), quality of project design (40 points), adequacy of resources (10 points), quality of management plan (10 points), and quality of project evaluation (15 points), with a maximum score of 100 points plus competitive preference. Allowable uses include tuition, travel expenses, health insurance, per diem, orientation courses, language training, and services to enhance program effectiveness. All grantees must submit annual and final performance reports and must comply with open licensing requirements for deliverables created with federal funds. Grant awards are expected to begin October 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include narratives limited to 65 pages, detailed budgets with narratives for all three years, letters of support, curriculum vitae for key personnel, and proof of nonprofit status. An intergovernmental review deadline is September 14, 2026.
Synopsis
Program Description: In coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State (State), the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) program.
The purpose of the program is to promote, improve, and develop the study of modern foreign language training and area studies in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities by supporting visits and study in foreign countries by teachers and prospective teachers. The program provides opportunities for teachers and prospective teachers to improve their skill in languages, their knowledge of the culture of the people of other countries, and finances visits by teachers from those other countries to the United States for the purpose of participating in foreign language training and area studies in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities.
Assistance Listing Number: 84.021C
Applicants are required to follow the 2025 Common Instructions and Information for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.
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