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International Education Programs

Program Description (Title VI/Fulbright-Hays)

The U.S. Department of Education’s International Education and Foreign Language Studies (IEFLS) programs, including HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs, form the vital infrastructure of the federal government's investment in the international service pipeline. The 14 IEFLS programs support comprehensive language and area study centers, international business centers and language resource centers within the United States; research and curriculum development; opportunities for American students and scholars to study abroad; and activities to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in international service. Administrative responsibility for these programs falls under the Office of Postsecondary Education, International Education Programs Service.

Action Needed
The National Humanities Alliance urges Congress to provide FY 2012 funding for the U.S. Department of Education's HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs of no less than $75.729 million, the FY 2011 enacted level, and the same amount approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  This includes:

  • Domestic Programs (HEA-Title VI, Parts A&B): $66.712 million

  • Overseas Programs (Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6)): $7.465 million

  • Institute for International Public Policy (HEA-Title VI-Part C, IIPP): $1.552 million
    [Click here to take action on this issue.]

FY 2011 Funding Status: $75.7 million  [Enacted April 15, 2011]
Following enactment of the FY 2011 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 1473) on April 15, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education reduced the HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs by $50.15 million (39.8%) from the FY 2010 enacted level of $125.88 million. This resulted in a final FY 2011 appropriation of $75.73 million for Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education programs.

FY 2012 Funding Status: Pending

President’s Budget Proposal
: $125.9 million  [OMB Release- February 14, 2011]
For FY 2012, the Obama Administration has requested full funding of $125.9 million for the Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs at FY 2010 levels. This includes:


  • Domestic Programs (HEA-Title VI, Parts A&B): $108.4 million

  • Overseas Programs (Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6)): $15.6 million

  • Institute for International Public Policy (HEA-Title VI-Part C, IIPP): $1.9 million

Latest House Action: $66.7 million  [Subcommittee Draft- September 29, 2011]
On September 29, 2011, the House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee released a Majority-only version of a draft FY 2012 funding bill that was not considered by the full subcommittee.  Under the draft Majority bill, Title VI/Fulbright Hays international education programs would be funded at $66.712 million, $9.017 million below the FY 2011 enacted level. This figure includes:

  • Domestic Programs (HEA-Title VI, Parts A&B): $66.712 million
  • Overseas Programs (Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6)): $0 million [eliminated]
  • Institute for International Public Policy (HEA-Title VI-Part C, IIPP): $0 million [eliminated]

Latest Senate Action: $75.7 million  [Full Committee Vote- September 21, 2011]
On September 20, 2011, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services Funding Bill (S. 1599). The measure provides $75.729 million for Title VI/Fulbright Hays programs, at FY 2011 enacted levels. This figure includes:

  • Domestic Programs (HEA-Title VI, Parts A&B): $66.712 million
  • Overseas Programs (Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6)): $7.465 million
  • Institute for International Public Policy (HEA-Title VI-Part C, IIPP): $1.552 million

Committee Jurisdiction
Appropriations:

Authorization:

Authorization

The Department's International Education and Foreign Language Studies (IEFLS) programs are authorized under two separate laws:

  • HEA Title VI - The Department’s Domestic IEFLS programs have their origin in the 1958 National Defense Education Act (NDEA), and are now authorized under Title VI of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315) was enacted on August 14, 2008. The 2008 Act renewed the Higher Education Act of 1965, and provides continued authorization of Title VI funding (at the level of “such sums as may be necessary”) for at least six years, beginning FY 2009 through FY 2014.
  • Fulbright-Hays Act - The Fulbright-Hays program was created in 1961, and is authorized under Section 102(b)(6) of the Fulbright-Hays Act, also known as the “Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961”.

Talking Points

  • We urge Congress to consider the important federal role played by these international and foreign language education programs in supporting our nation’s long-term national security, global leadership and economic competitiveness capabilities. Successful U.S. engagement in these areas, at home or abroad, relies on Americans with global competence.
  • Programs support activities to improve our capabilities throughout the educational pipeline, from K-12 outreach through graduate education and advanced research.
  • Instruction is provided in over 130 languages and 10 world areas, with emphasis on the less commonly-taught, strategic languages and areas of the world.
  • Most of these languages would not be taught on a regular basis but for this support.
  • As reported by the National Academies of Sciences in 2007, “Because what areas/languages are deemed critical changes in unpredictable ways, the nation benefits from the large pool of expertise housed in universities.”

Additional Resources