Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Short-Term Project Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.021A | ED GRANTS 111221 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 111221 001

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Short-Term Project program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) and International Foreign Language Education (IFLE), supports U.S.-based group projects conducted overseas that strengthen modern foreign language learning and area studies back in the United States. The central aim is capacity-building: helping institutions and educators deepen expertise in world regions, languages, and cultures, and then bring that knowledge home to improve curriculum, instruction, and educational resources for students in the U.S. This opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.021A for the short-term project competition (with a separate track, 84.021B, for long-term intensive language projects).

Under this competition, applicants can propose one of three short-term project formats, each with specific allowable timeframes and intended outcomes. First are short-term seminar projects, typically four to six weeks long, designed to help participants integrate international and area studies into curricula at institutions of higher education or within school systems. These seminars focus on a defined theme or aspect of area studies, such as the history, society, or culture of a particular country or region, with the expectation that participants return with stronger content knowledge and practical approaches for classroom and program integration. Second are curriculum development projects, generally four to eight weeks in length, which emphasize acquiring instructional and scholarly resource materials abroad to support curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies. These projects are geared toward gathering texts, media, archives, cultural materials, and other resources that can be adapted for teaching and then disseminated for use in the United States. Third are group research or study projects, lasting from three to twelve months, which support participants conducting organized research or structured study in a host country, typically resulting in tangible outputs such as research findings, instructional modules, reports, presentations, or other deliverables that advance foreign language and area studies education in the U.S.

Although this listing is specifically for the short-term GPA option (84.021A), the notice also explains that the same overall competition invites applications for a long-term option (84.021B). The long-term GPA projects are advanced intensive overseas language programs that can run for periods such as a summer, quarter, trimester, semester, academic year, or full year. A key requirement for the long-term model is that participants should already have at least two academic years of prior training in the target language, reflecting the program focus on advanced-level strengthening rather than beginner study. The language must be indigenous to the host country, and projects are expected to rely heavily on local institutions and local experts to ensure deep linguistic and cultural immersion. Even if an applicant is only interested in the short-term option, the program requires applicants to clearly designate on the SF-424 cover sheet whether they are applying under 84.021A (short-term) or 84.021B (long-term), because they are treated as separate tracks with different expectations.

From an administrative and competition standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity funded by the Department of Education. The opportunity information provided indicates an estimated maximum award (award ceiling) of $180,000 and an expected number of awards of about 10. The original timeline in the notice shows applications were made available on November 12, 2021, with a deadline for transmittal of applications of January 11, 2022. The Department also planned a pre-application webinar to walk prospective applicants through the program, with details hosted on the GPA program website. For organizations or institutions that have not previously received Department of Education grants, the Department points applicants to its general "funding basics" resources to help them understand the federal discretionary grant process.

Eligibility is referenced in the notice as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which is a reminder that applicants should rely on the official Federal Register application notice and governing regulations (including the relevant sections of 34 CFR part 664 cited for each project type) to confirm who may apply and under what conditions. The synopsis repeatedly emphasizes that the Federal Register notice is the controlling document for requirements such as application content, submission procedures, priorities, performance measures, and other compliance details. It also directs applicants to the Department of Education's Common Instructions for discretionary grant programs (published February 13, 2019) for standardized guidance on how to obtain and submit an application.

For program and application questions, the notice lists the program contact as Cory Neal at the U.S. Department of Education, with the main program email GPA@ed.gov, and it directs prospective applicants to the GPA website for updates, including pre-application webinar logistics. The overall takeaway is that ALN 84.021A is designed to fund structured, outcomes-oriented overseas group experiences that translate into stronger U.S. instruction and programming in modern foreign languages and area studies, whether through short seminars, curriculum-focused resource development trips, or longer group research/study engagements that produce materials and knowledge to be shared widely after participants return.

• 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) Short-Term Project Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.021A" 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 Nov 12, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 11, 2022 Applications Available November 12, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications January 11, 2022. Pre-Application Webinar information The Department will hold a pre-application meeting via 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) 453-6137. 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 $180,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for ED GRANTS 111221 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: