Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C
🏛 Department of Education (ED)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions and organizations that support foreign language and area studies in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities. Eligible applicants include public or private nonprofit colleges, universities, and educational organizations. State departments of education and consortia of these entities may also apply.
The program funds visits and study abroad for language teachers and prospective teachers. It also supports visiting teachers from other countries to work in U.S. schools. Applicants must demonstrate nonprofit status, either through 501(c)(3) tax status or state certification.
Organizations must coordinate efforts to improve foreign language training and promote cultural exchange. The program operates under the Fulbright-Hays Act framework.
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Program description
Program Description: In coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State (State), the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) program.
The purpose of the program is to promote, improve, and develop the study of modern foreign language training and area studies in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities by supporting visits and study in foreign countries by teachers and prospective teachers. The program provides opportunities for teachers and prospective teachers to improve their skill in languages, their knowledge of the culture of the people of other countries, and finances visits by teachers from those other countries to the United States for the purpose of participating in foreign language training and area studies in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities.
Assistance Listing Number: 84.021C
Applicants are required to follow the 2025 Common Instructions and Information for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Proof of nonprofit status (501(c)(3) letter or state certification)
- Organizational documentation demonstrating institutional capacity
Program contact
- 👤 Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
- 📧 MECE@ed.gov
- 📞 2022456408
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.021 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$300,000
-
$300,000
-
$300,000
-
$300,000
-
$299,996
-
$272,560
-
$267,733
-
$260,000
-
$257,700
-
$257,700
Top States by Funding
- PA 14 awards $1.8M
- DC 7 awards $1.5M
- AZ 5 awards $1.2M
- IL 7 awards $1.1M
- CA 4 awards $0.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 84.021). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $2,507,307 | |
| 2019 | $2,671,000 | |
| 2020 | $3,057,454 | |
| 2021 | $2,492,713 | |
| 2022 | $3,746,249 | |
| 2023 | $5,184,691 | |
| 2024 est. | $5,073,380 | |
| 2025 est. | $3,350,510 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public or private nonprofit colleges, universities, state education agencies, educational organizations, and consortia of these entities. Nonprofits must have 501(c)(3) status or equivalent state certification.
What does the grant fund?
Study abroad programs for language teachers and prospective teachers. Also funds visiting teachers from other countries to participate in U.S. language and area studies.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is July 15, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
Do I need cost-sharing funds?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
How much can I request?
Award amounts are not specified in the program guidance. Contact ED for typical funding ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your proposal with the Fulbright-Hays Act's cultural exchange goals. Show how your project improves language skills and cultural understanding.
- Highlight partnerships between U.S. institutions and foreign educational organizations. The program values international collaboration.
- Include clear outcomes for teacher development. Specify language proficiency improvements and curriculum integration plans.
- Follow the 2025 ED Common Instructions closely. Review the Federal Register document (90 FR 42234) before drafting.
- Document nonprofit status early. Gather your 501(c)(3) determination letter or state certification before the deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to establish clear partnerships with foreign institutions or not demonstrating how the exchange serves U.S. language education goals. Misunderstanding that this funds teacher professional development abroad and visiting scholars, not student scholarships. Submitting nonprofit documentation that doesn't meet the four acceptable formats under 34 CFR 75.51.
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