Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program—Long-Term Projects, Assistance Listing Number 84.021B | ED GRANTS 012623 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 012623 002

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), through its International Foreign Language Education (IFLE) portfolio, is offering the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program competition for Long-Term Projects under Assistance Listing Number 84.021B (funding opportunity number ED GRANTS 012623 002). This is a discretionary grant program intended to strengthen modern foreign language instruction and area studies in the United States by supporting structured, overseas group experiences. While the GPA program overall can fund both short-term and long-term overseas projects, this specific listing highlights the long-term, advanced intensive language training track, and applicants must clearly indicate which track they are applying for on the SF-424 cover sheet (84.021A for short-term or 84.021B for long-term). The official, controlling requirements and priorities are those published in the Federal Register notice, and applicants are directed to follow the Department of Education Revised Common Instructions for discretionary grants (published December 7, 2022) for application submission and procedural rules.

At its core, the GPA program is designed to promote, improve, and expand U.S. capacity in modern foreign languages and area studies by giving faculty, teachers, and undergraduate and graduate students the chance to participate in organized projects overseas. The Department frames these as group-based projects that produce clear educational benefits back in the United States, such as improved language proficiency, deeper regional expertise, and stronger curriculum and instruction informed by firsthand cultural and academic engagement abroad. In practice, the program aims to translate overseas immersion and study into better teaching, stronger academic programs, and broader dissemination of materials and learning gained through the project.

For the 84.021B long-term project option, the funded activity is an advanced overseas intensive language program. These programs are designed by the applicant and can be structured across different academic timeframes, including a full year, academic year, semester, trimester, quarter, or summer, depending on what best fits the language learning objectives and the host-country context. The emphasis is on advanced training rather than introductory study: participants are expected to have already completed at least two academic years of prior training in the target language before they are considered eligible for the intensive advanced language program. The notice also specifies key design constraints: the language studied must be indigenous to the host country, and the project should maximize the use of local institutions and local personnel, reinforcing the immersion and authenticity of the training environment as described in the governing regulation (34 CFR 664.14). The overall intent is that participants substantially strengthen their language ability while simultaneously experiencing and learning from the host culture in ways that are difficult to replicate in a U.S.-based classroom.

Although this opportunity is titled for long-term projects, the Department’s notice also explains that the same competition cycle invites applications for short-term projects (84.021A), and it outlines those short-term models to help applicants choose the correct track. The three short-term formats include: (1) short-term seminars lasting 4 to 6 weeks, built to help participants integrate international studies into an institution of higher education or K-12 curriculum upon returning to the U.S., often with a focus on a particular area-studies theme (34 CFR 664.11); (2) curriculum development projects lasting 4 to 8 weeks, focused on acquiring materials abroad to develop and disseminate U.S. curriculum in modern foreign languages and area studies (34 CFR 664.12); and (3) group research or study projects lasting 3 to 12 months that support overseas research or study (34 CFR 664.13). The key point for applicants is that they must select the appropriate program code and comply with the corresponding requirements, because the Department treats 84.021A and 84.021B as distinct application tracks even though they fall under the broader GPA umbrella.

Eligibility for this competition, as summarized in the listing, includes certain nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)) that are not institutions of higher education, plus additional eligible applicants referenced in the notice’s “Additional Information on Eligibility” (meaning applicants should confirm details in the Federal Register text). The listing reflects an award ceiling of $300,000 and an expectation of about 10 awards, signaling a competitive national process where proposals are likely evaluated on alignment with program goals, quality of project design, feasibility and management capacity, and the strength of plans to bring benefits back to U.S. education after the overseas component concludes.

Key dates provided in the synopsis indicate that applications became available January 26, 2023, with a deadline for transmittal of applications of March 27, 2023. The Department also planned a pre-application webinar, with details posted on the program website (www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/index.html). For organizations new to Department of Education grants or those wanting a refresher on the federal grants process, the Department points prospective applicants to its “grant funding basics” resource. For direct questions, the notice lists Cory Neal as the program contact at the Department of Education, with an email point of contact at GPA@ed.gov and a phone number provided in the synopsis.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as federal support for well-structured, group-based overseas language immersion at the advanced level, with a clear expectation that the investment will pay off in stronger U.S. teaching, learning, and program development in modern foreign languages and area studies. For the exact rules that govern what must be included in the application package (including any competitive priorities, required forms, performance measures, and submission mechanics), applicants are expected to rely on the Federal Register notice and the Department’s common instructions referenced in the announcement.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program—Long-Term Projects, Assistance Listing Number 84.021B" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 27, 2023 Applications Available January 26, 2023. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications March 27, 2023. Pre-Application Webinar information The Department will hold a pre-application webinar for prospective applicants. Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the GPA website at www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/index.html. Additionally, for prospective applicants that have never received a grant from the Department and those that are interested in learning more about the process, please review the grant funding basics resource at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Cory Neal, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 258-12, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 704-3437. Email GPA@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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