Program Office: International Education Programs Service

CFDA Number: 84.153A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants

Program Brochure PDF (102K) | MS Word (37K)

This program provides funds to institutions of higher education (IHEs) that enter into agreements with trade associations and businesses to improve the academic teaching of the business curriculum and to conduct outreach activities that expand the capacity of the business community to engage in international economic activities.

Eligible activities include but are not limited to:

• Improving the business and international education curriculum of institutions to serve the needs of the business community, including the development of new programs for mid-career or parttime students;
• Developing programs to inform the public of increasing international economic interdependence and the role of U.S. businesses within the international economic system;
• Internationalizing curricula at the junior and community college level and at undergraduate and graduate schools of business;
• Developing area studies and interdisciplinary international programs;
• Establishing export education programs;
• Conducting research and developing specialized teaching materials appropriate to business-oriented students;
• Establishing student and faculty fellowships and internships or other training or research opportunities;
• Creating opportunities for business and professional faculty to strengthen international skills;
• Developing research programs on issues of common interest to IHEs and private sector organizations and associations engaged in or promoting international economic activity;
• Establishing internships overseas to enable foreign language students to develop their foreign language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies;
• Establishing links overseas with IHEs and organizations that contribute to the education objectives of this program; and
• Establishing summer institutes in international business, foreign areas, and other international studies designed to carry out the purposes of this program.

The purpose of the program is to promote education and training that will contribute to the ability of United States business to prosper in an international economy. The legislation authorized the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education to provide suitable international training to business personnel in various stages of professional development.

Each program assisted with federal funds must both enhance the international academic program of the institution and provide appropriate services to the business community which will expand its capacity to engage in commerce abroad. Institutional matching of 50 percent of the total cost of the program is a statutory requirement. Each grant application must be accompanied by an agreement between the institution and a business enterprise, trade organization or association engaged in international economic activity, for the purpose of developing or improving activities eligible for assistance.