Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of State, is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Program. Funded activities must support modern foreign language training and area studies in U.S. educational institutions by facilitating study visits abroad for American teachers and prospective teachers, as well as financing visits by foreign teachers to the United States. Projects must align with absolute priorities concerning foreign language training and patriotic education, and will run for a 36-month performance period. The agency expects to award two to four grants ranging from $2,550,000 to $5,100,000 from an estimated total funding pool of $10,193,170, with applications due by July 15, 2026.
Eligible Applicants
Consistent with Sec. 104(e)(1) of the Fulbright-Hays Act, eligible applicants are public or private nonprofit foundations, educational or other institutions.Note: “Public or private nonprofit foundations, educational or other institutions” include the following: • Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs);• State departments of education (including State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies);• Public or private nonprofit educational organizations; and• Consortia of such public or private nonprofit IHEs, State departments of education, and public or private nonprofit educational organizations.Note: An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing:1. Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;2. A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual;3. A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or4. Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.