Academic Exchange Programs - Scholars (19.401)
Academic Exchange Programs - Scholars (Assistance Listing 19.401) is run by the Department of State. It awarded $173 million in 43 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $4.0 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $2,400. Half of the 43 awards fell between $854 and $3.7 million, and they ranged from $139 to $30.3 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$173 million
- Grant awards43
- Typical award$2,400
- Awarded in FY 2025$30.4 million
- Size rank645 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (cooperative agreements)
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $32.1 million in fiscal 2021 to $30.4 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 645th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 7 largest recipients received 100% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 6 states and territories.
What the program funds
As authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange programs, including the exchange of scholars, researchers, professionals, students, and educators. ECA programs foster engagement and encourage dialogue with citizens around the world. Educational and cultural engagement is premised on the knowledge that mutual understanding, the development of leaders and future leaders, and the benefits of education programs influence societies and affect official decision-making almost everywhere in the world today. ECA programs inform, engage, and influence participants across strategic sectors of society – including young people, teachers, scholars, journalists, and other professionals – increasing the number of individuals who have first-hand international experience with the values of freedom, representative government, rule of law, economic choice, and individual dignity, while building international knowledge and capacity among people globally The Fulbright Scholar Program offers opportunities for American and foreign scholars to conduct research, lecture, and/or consult with other scholars and institutions in the United States and abroad. The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars and Secondary Educators strengthens curricula and improves the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions overseas.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcement for further eligibility criteria.
What the money can and cannot pay for
The flagship international exchange program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Funding is provided to non-profit organizations, colleges, and universities to support their work in designing and administering programs as well as coordinating program logistics. Funding supports publicity and recruitment, screening of applications, communication with participants, payment of individual grantee costs, and the provision of enrichment activities. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Scholars and Secondary Educators are five to six week academic programs designed to strengthen curricula and improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions overseas. Hosted by U.S. universities and colleges, foreign university faculty, secondary educators, and other scholars spend approximately four weeks in an academic residency followed by a complimenting one to two-week study tour to another region of the United States. During the Institutes, scholars engage in rigorous academic coursework, seminar, and panel discussions; interact and establish networks with American scholars; meet with experts in the respective disciplines, visit civic institutions, and pursue related research interests. The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) provides an on-demand, rapid response exchange resource which sends highly qualified U.S.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
$1,050,000 to $29,093,081.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Academic Exchange Programs - Scholars (19.401) awarded $173 million across 43 grant awards, an average of $4.0 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of International Education Inc | New York | 5 | $135 million |
| World Learning Inc. | Vermont | 5 | $22.0 million |
| University of Montana | Montana | 4 | $14.6 million |
| Institute for Training and Development, Inc. | Massachusetts | 1 | $875,000 |
| Stichting Liberation Route Europe | 1 | $90,000 | |
| Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees | 2 | $21,918 | |
| America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. | 1 | $5,623 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 92% of the money, colleges and universities 8.3% and individuals less than 0.1%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 12 | $158 million | 92% |
| Colleges and universities | 5 | $14.4 million | 8.3% |
| Other | 2 | $111,618 | less than 0.1% |
| Individuals | 24 | $31,867 | less than 0.1% |
By state
3 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are New York, Vermont and Montana.