Overseas Programs - Group Projects Abroad

To contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States by providing grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign langu

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.

Consistent with Sec. 104(e)(1) of the Fulbright-Hays Act, eligible applicants are public or private nonprofit foundations, educational or other institutions

A participant must be: a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the U.S., employed full-time in a U.S. school system, IHE, LEA or SEA. and at least one of the following: • A teacher in a K-12 school; • A faculty member who teaches modern foreign languages or area studies; • An experienced administrator responsible for planning, conducting, or supervising programs in modern foreign languages or area studies at the K-12 or postsecondary levels; • A graduate student or junior or senior in an IHE, who is a prospective teacher in the areas of modern foreign languages or area studies. Students should meet the provisions set by their LEA or SEA; or • For the Advanced Overseas Intensive Language Training project, the participating student, other than those planning a teaching career, should be planning to apply their language skills and knowledge of countries vital to U.S. national security in fields outside teaching.

Consistent with Sec. 104(e) of the Fulbright-Hays Act, grant funds under this program may be used for the following activities: 1. tuition and other necessary incidental expenses, for travel expenses from their places of residence and return for themselves, and for the dependent members of their immediate families, for health and accident insurance premiums, emergency medical expenses, costs of preparing and transporting to their former homes the remains of any of such persons who may die while away from their homes as participants or dependents of participants in this program, and for per diem in lieu of subsistence at rates prescribed by the Director of the United States Information Agency, for all such persons, and for such other expenses as are necessary for the successful accomplishment of the purposes of the Fulbright-Hays Act; 2. to provide for orientation courses, language training, or other appropriate services and materials for persons traveling out of the countries of their residence for educational and cultural purposes; and 3. to provide or continue services to increase the effectiveness of such programs following the return of such persons to the countries of their residence. Additionally, where using MECE funds for "tuition or other necessary incidental expenses", grantees must comply with the requirements of 34 CFR 75.60 and 34 CFR 75.62. Under 34 CFR 75.60, individuals are ineligible to receive fellowship or scholarship funds through discretionary grants funded by the Department where the individual- (a) Is not current in repaying a debt or is in default, as that term is used in 34 CFR part 668, on a debt- (1) Under a program administered by the Department under which an individual received a fellowship, scholarship, or loan that they are obligated to repay; or (2) To the Federal Government under a nonprocurement transaction; and (b) Has not made satisfactory arrangements to repay the debt. Additionally, 34 CFR 75.62 notes the following requirements applicable to grantees, in making awards involving potential fellowship costs: (a) An entity that provides a fellowship, scholarship, or discretionary grant to an individual under a grant from, or an agreement with, the Secretary shall require the individual who applies for such an award to provide with his or her application a certification under the penalty of perjury- (1) That the individual is eligible under § 75.60; and (2) That the individual has not been debarred or suspended by a judge under section 421 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 862). (b) An entity subject to this section may not award a fellowship, scholarship, or discretionary grant to an individual if- (1) The individual fails to provide the certification required under paragraph (a) of this section; or (2) The Secretary informs the entity that the individual is ineligible under § 75.60. (c) If a fellowship, scholarship, or discretionary grant is made to an individual who provided a false certification under paragraph (a) of this section, the individual is liable for recovery of the funds made available under the certification, for civil damages or penalties imposed for false representation, and for criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001. (d) The Secretary may require an entity subject to this section to provide a list of the individuals to whom fellowship, scholarship, or discretionary grant awards have been made or are proposed to be made by the entity

Depending on the funding opportunity, projects range from 5 weeks to 24 months.

The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 75.210 and apply to all MECE applications.

In FY 2026, the Department will select applications for funding based on the ranking of each application according to the score received during an independent panel review.