education · ED
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C
Department of Education · ED-GRANTS-061526-001
Total Program Funding
$10.2M
Expected Awards
4
Deadline
July 15, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
Department of Education's Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Program (Fulbright-Hays) funds 4 international research/training projects for U.S. educational institutions focused on area studies and foreign language development.
Who Should Apply
U.S. universities with established area studies and foreign language programs seeking international research and training projects.
Who Should NOT Apply
Institutions without area studies programs, non-educational entities.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must support international educational exchange
- •4 awards
- •Must focus on area studies/foreign languages
- •No cost-sharing required
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Fulbright-Hays projects are competitive and prestigious. Show strong international partnerships and track record in area studies.
Competitiveness: High — 4 awards for specialized area studies programs.
What This Grant Funds
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.
Attachments
84.021C MECE Announcement and Notice Instructions_FINAL 6.15.26
84.021_Mutual_Education_and_Cultural_Exchange_Application_Notice_and_Instructions.pdf
FY 2026 MECE Competition Application Guidance
FY_2026_MECE_Competition_Application_Guidance.pdf
FY 2026 MECE Competition Pre-Application Webinar Slide Deck
FY_2026_MECE_Competition_Pre-Application_Webinar_FINAL_06.29.26.pdf
FY 2026 MECE Competition Pre-Application Webinar Recording
FY_2026_MECE_Competition_Pre-App_Technical_Assistance_Webinar_Recording.pdf
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Total Program Funding
- $10.2M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 4
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Applications Available: June 15, 2026. Application Deadline: July 15, 2026. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 14, 2026ED will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed above with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided. For Further Information: Kurrinn Abrams, Telephone: 202-987-1920, Email: MECE@ed.gov.
Agency Contact
Kurrinn Abrams Telephone: 202-987-1920 Email: MECE@ed.gov
MECE@ed.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov