Federal grant programs / Department of Education

Overseas Programs - Group Projects Abroad (84.021)

Also known as Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Program

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$15.2 million
• Grant awards100
• Typical award$143,000
• Awarded in FY 2025-$250,630
• Size rank1,390 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceProject grants

Key findings

• It is the 1390th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 71% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 26 states and territories.

What the program funds

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 languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

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

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

What the money can and cannot pay for

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.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

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

Varies by competition.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Colleges and universities received 72% of the money, nonprofits 20% and tribes 6.2%.

By state

5 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Arizona, Illinois, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and California.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.