Description
UISFL Program Press Kit: PDF (6.84M)
The Title VI Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program provides funds to plan, develop, and carry out programs to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages.
Each UISFL project assisted with federal funds must enhance primarily the international academic program of the institution. Eligible activities may include but are not limited to:
- Development of a global or international studies program that is interdisciplinary in design;
- Development of a program that focuses on issues or topics, such as international business or international health;
- Development of an area studies program and programs in corresponding foreign languages;
- Creation of innovative curricula that combine the teaching of international studies with professional and preprofessional studies, such as engineering;
- Research for and development of specialized teaching materials, including language instruction, i.e., business French;
- Establishment of internship opportunities for faculty and students in domestic and overseas settings; and
- Development of study abroad programs.
Contact
Jessica Lugg
E-mail: Jessica.Lugg@ed.gov
Tel: (202) 987-1914
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Postsecondary Education
International and Foreign Language Education
Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Program Classification
Program Office: International and Foreign Language Education
Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.016A
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: Undergraduate and Foreign Languages
|| Competition Timeline || Application Materials || Tips & Assistance || Eligibility ||
Competition Timeline
Competitions for the Title VI Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program are held every two years, pending the availability of funds. This program announces competitions in the Federal Register. To learn about future UISFL program competitions, please check this website and subscribe to the International and Foreign Language Education office newsletter listserv to receive updates.
Last competition: FY 2023
Next competition: FY 2026
Application Materials
The FY 2023 competition is closed. The deadline to apply was May 22, 2023. All information below regarding the FY 2023 competition is for reference only.
Applications for the UISFL program must be submitted online through Grants.gov.
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2023 dated March 21, 2023 | PDF
- FY 2023 UISFL Application Instructions: MS Word (249K)
- FY 2023 Competition Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-032123-001
Tips & Assistance
UISFL Program Press Kit - PDF (6.84M)
IFLE held a technical assistance webinar to help institutions and nonprofit educational entities learn more about the 2023 UISFL Program and the application process. The webinar provided guidance about the competition priorities, budget, and evaluation criteria, in addition to other application components.
Eligibility
Who May Apply: (by category) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), Nonprofit Organizations
Who May Apply: (specifically) A combination of those categories listed above also may apply.
FY 2024
Appropriation: $2,171,679
Continuation Awards: 15
Average Continuation Award: $144,779
Google Map of FY 2024 IFLE Grantees
FY 2023
Appropriation: $3,303,683
New Awards: 13
Average New Award: $124,922
Continuation Awards: 18
Average Continuation Award: $93,316
List of Grantees and Project Abstracts: MS Word (317K)
Google Map of FY 2023 IFLE Grantees
FY 2022
Appropriation: $2,422,132
New Awards: 18
Average New Award: $92,820
Continuation Awards: 7
Average Continuation Award: $107,339
List of Grantees and Project Abstracts: MS Word (322K)
Google Map of IFLE FY 2022 Grantees
FY 2021
Appropriation: $2,936,969
New Awards: 0
Continuation Awards: 32
Average Continuation Award: $91,780
List of Grantees and Project Abstracts: PDF (623K)
FY 2020
Appropriation: $2,857,604
New Awards: 32
Average New Award: $89,300
List of Grantees and Project Abstracts: PDF (623K)
FY 2019
No new awards.
Useful Links
- Needs Analysis: Pre-application Technical Assistance PDF (1.1 MB)
- UISFL Program Press Kit — PDF (6.84M)
- Listen to 2 GoGlobalEd Podcast episodes focusing on the Title VI UISFL program:
- Title VI Deep Dive: Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program (UISFL). A conversation with Tanyelle Richardson, (IFLE) and Bill Phelan (Cornell University, 2018 institutional recipient of a UISFL grant): Listen to learn more about UISFL Grants (24:20)
- An Interview with Dr. David Flaten, Ph.D., Professor of History at Tompkins Cortland Community College, which benefitted from part of Cornell University's 2018 UISFL grant. Listen to Dr. David Flaten on the Podcast (14:10)
- Google Maps of UISFL Grantees – These maps highlight different types of projects that your colleagues have recently worked on, or are currently working on, with funds from the UISFL grant program.
- International Resource Information System (IRIS): a performance reporting system and searchable database for 14 international education programs
- OPE - Applicant and Grantee Resources
Legislation
- Consultation with Federal Agencies on Areas of National Need – The Higher Education Act requires that the Secretary consult with federal agency heads in order to receive recommendations regarding areas of national need for expertise in foreign languages and world regions.
- 2008 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI: Section 604 (UISFL) (PDF)
- Section 604(5)—on Supplemental Information to be collected from UISFL applicants:
- (E) a description of how the applicant will provide information to students regarding federally funded scholarship programs in related areas;
- (F) an explanation of how the activities funded by the grant will reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, where applicable; and
- (G) a description of how the applicant will encourage service in areas of national need, as identified by the Secretary.
- (2) GRANTEES.—Of the total amount of grant funds awarded to a grantee under this section, the grantee may use not more than ten percent of such funds for the activity described in subsection (a)(2)(I).
- Section 601(c)(1) — on Title VI consultation with other federal agencies on areas of national need for expertise in foreign languages and world regions (PDF)
- Section 604(5)—on Supplemental Information to be collected from UISFL applicants:
- 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI: Section A 604 (a)(5)—on UISFL priority on foreign language requirements for institutions
- Title VI, Part A, Section 602(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
- 20 USC Section 1124 and Sections 1132-1137
Regulations
- 34 CFR 655 and 34 CFR 658
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations, Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99
- On August 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education published a Notice of Final Rule with updates to the EDGAR provisions.
Performance Report
Grantees under this program are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) through the International Resource Information System (IRIS). The Department provides grantees with the required password and other information needed to access the IRIS system. IRIS also includes a publicly accessible searchable database of abstracts of projects funded under OPE's international education programs.
 | Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- What is the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program?
- Who is eligible to apply?
- How will applicants be selected to receive grants?
- Is there a matching requirement?
- What is an average award size?
- What is the average length of an award?
- Is there a limitation on the amount of the indirect costs that grant recipients may charge to a UISFL grant?
- What kinds of expenses can be charged to a grant?
- Can UISFL funds be used to support students in a study abroad or internship program?
- Is there a page limitation for the application?
- Are appendices to the grant application allowed?
- What types of projects can be funded?
- Does the UISFL program have priorities?
- Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply?
- What techniques are helpful in preparing an application narrative and other important information for the program?
- Am I required to submit my application electronically?
- When will applicants be notified of their status?
- What date should an applicant list as the proposed start date for the project?
- Can we view samples of previously funded successful applications?
1. What is the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program?
The UISFL program is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen and improve undergraduate instructional programs in the areas of international studies and foreign languages.
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2. Who is eligible to apply?
Institutions of higher education (IHEs); consortia of institutions of higher education; partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher education; and public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations.
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3. How will applicants be selected to receive grants?
Grantees will be selected through a rigorous peer review process. Selection will be based upon the selection criteria stated in the application and published in the Federal Register.
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4. Is there a matching requirement?
Yes. Applicants are required to make a non-federal contribution to the costs associated with carrying out the project. Applicants can meet the one-to-one match with in-kind or cash contributions. For example, if you request $90,000 in year one, you must match it in equal dollars in year one.
Under the ‘Special Rule,' however, an applicant that is eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, may request a reduction or a waiver of the match. It is suggested that an applicant that meets the Special Rule request for a reduction in the match, for example — at 25 percent, and not a waiver to demonstrate not only their commitment to such project but also their capacity to support such project during and beyond the project period. Most institutional applicants meet the match with in-kind contributions.
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5. What is an average award size?
The average award size can vary slightly from one year to the next, but on average for a single IHE it is $90,000 each budget year and for a consortia of IHEs, or for public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, it is $140,000 each budget year. There is normally a cap on the requested amount also. To find out what the cap is, it is best to check the Closing Date Notice in the Federal Register.
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6. What is the average length of an award?
Up to 24 months for an award made to a single IHE; or up to 36 months for an award made to consortia of IHEs, or partnerships or organizations/associations.
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7. Is there a limitation on the amount of the indirect costs that grant recipients may charge to a UISFL grant?
Consistent with section 75.562 of Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), all grant recipients are limited to a maximum indirect cost of eight percent (8%) of a total direct cost base.
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8. What kinds of expenses can be charged to a grant?
An applicant can charge to a grant the following expenses: 1) faculty compensation for course development or enhancement; 2) costs associated with workshops or seminars for faculty development; 3) overseas research travel tied to coursework enhancement or to development of institutional linkages; 4) library purchases; and 5) outreach activities to benefit K-12 teachers or faculty from neighboring community colleges, etc.
Two items that very often are not included in the budget but should be are: (1) the costs associated with attending the annual meeting of project directors; and (2) the costs associated with bringing in an external evaluator each budget year.
On average, the cost for attending the annual project directors' meeting is $1600 per participant each budget year. We usually encourage the applicant to budget for two people to attend the meeting annually. As for the expenditures for the external evaluator, we suggest charging the grant a minimum of $750/day plus expenses each budget year. Applicants normally charge 3-4 days each budget year for a total of $2250-3000 honorarium plus expenses. (The honorarium covers the costs for travel time, the visit on campus and one day's compensation for writing up a report).
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9. Can UISFL funds be used to support students in a study abroad or internship program?
Yes. Up to 10 percent of funds each budget year can be used to support students in an overseas program closely linked to the program being developed or enhanced on the home campus.
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10. Is there a page limitation for the application?
Yes. Applicants are limited to a 40-page narrative.
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11. Are appendices to the grant application allowed?
Yes. However, an applicant must be mindful to submit only what is requested and what would be considered supporting documentation of the narrative.
Examples include: (1) a line-item budget for each budget year; (2) letters of support from appropriate administrators, deans, etc.; (3) two-page curricula vitae for all project personnel and participants (meaning the project director(s), faculty participants, external evaluator, consultants, etc.); and (4) course listings of pertinent international, area, and foreign language courses currently being offered.
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12. What types of projects can be funded?
Projects that can be funded may focus on the development of a major, minor, or certificate in a world area with a complimentary language program or the infusion of language materials into upper-division content courses, i.e. social science or humanities courses. What is important is for the applicant to conduct an internal assessment to determine what their institutional strengths are in order to determine how the funding will address programmatic gaps in their international studies/area studies and foreign language programs.
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13. Does the UISFL program have priorities?
Yes. The UISFL program conducts an annual competition normally including both competitive and invitational priorities. Given that many of these priorities may change from one fiscal year to the next, it is best to refer to the Closing Date Notice (CDN) in the Federal Register for the priorities for that fiscal year competition.
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14. Do the provisions of the "Fly America Act" apply?
Yes.
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15. What techniques are helpful in preparing an application narrative and other important information for the program?
It may be helpful to first read over program materials posted on the UISFL Web site, such as the previous year's application and CDN, abstracts of funded projects, etc. Once you have become familiar with the program, you may want to have contact with program staff to discuss your particular proposal idea or to visit the UISFL office to read over successful applications.
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16. Am I required to submit my application electronically?
Yes. You must submit your application through Grants.gov. If an applicant experiences technical difficulties or has questions regarding the Grants.gov system, he/she should contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-516-4726 or support@grants.gov.
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17. When will applicants be notified of their status?
It could take anywhere from 4-5 months after submission before notification will take place.
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18. What date should an applicant list as the proposed start date for the project?
July 1 is the proposed start date for each fiscal year of the award.
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19. Can we view samples of previously funded successful applications?
Yes. Please go to the “Past Award & Funding” section of the UISFL web site and click the lists of grantees and abstracts documents under the relevant fiscal year.