Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program Short-Term Project Assistance Listing Number 84.021A | ED GRANTS 011421 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 011421 001

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), designed to strengthen modern foreign language learning and area studies in the United States by supporting structured overseas experiences. The short-term project competition is identified as Assistance Listing Number 84.021A (with a parallel long-term option under 84.021B), and it funds projects that take groups of participants abroad so they can deepen language and regional expertise and then bring that knowledge back into U.S. classrooms and curricula. The overall emphasis is not just travel or cultural exposure, but tangible improvements to teaching, learning materials, and academic programs related to international and area studies.

For this competition, applicants are expected to apply either for the short-term GPA track (84.021A) or the long-term GPA track (84.021B), and they must clearly state which track they are pursuing on the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance). The short-term option (84.021A) supports three distinct project models. First are short-term seminar projects, typically four to six weeks long, which focus on helping educators integrate international studies into a school system or institutional curriculum by concentrating on a defined area-studies theme, such as the history, society, or culture of a particular country or region (referenced in 34 CFR 664.11). Second are curriculum development projects, usually four to eight weeks, that enable participants to gather and develop instructional resources in modern foreign languages and area studies specifically for later use and dissemination in the United States (34 CFR 664.12). Third are group research or study projects, which are longer (three to twelve months) and are structured to give participants an organized opportunity to conduct research or pursue study in a host country (34 CFR 664.13). Across these models, the basic idea is that the overseas component directly feeds into better U.S.-based instruction and broader access to high-quality international content.

Although your prompt focuses on 84.021A, the notice also explains the long-term GPA model (84.021B) to clarify the distinction. Long-term projects are advanced, intensive language training programs overseas that can run for a full year, academic year, semester, trimester, quarter, or summer. These programs are meant for participants who already have a foundation in the target language; eligibility typically assumes at least two academic years of prior language study. The language must be indigenous to the host country, and projects are expected to rely heavily on local institutions and personnel so participants are learning in an immersive, authentic environment (34 CFR 664.14). This matters because applicants must choose the correct track and design the project around the track-specific requirements.

Eligibility for the competition includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with the listing also indicating that additional eligible entities may apply (the notice points applicants to the official application materials for clarification). The Department of Education announced the opportunity under Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 011421 001, with applications made available January 14, 2021, and a deadline for transmittal of applications of March 15, 2021. The stated award ceiling is $100,000, and the program expected to make about 10 awards under this competition cycle. Because this synopsis is not the legally controlling document, applicants are directed to the official Federal Register notice and the Department's standard discretionary grant instructions (including the February 13, 2019 Common Instructions) for the authoritative details on how to apply, what must be included, required forms, submission procedures, priorities, and performance measures.

The Department also indicated it would host a pre-application webinar for prospective applicants, with details posted on the Group Projects Abroad program website. For organizations new to applying for U.S. Department of Education grants, the notice points to general "funding basics" guidance to help applicants understand the grantmaking process and expectations. For direct questions, the program contact listed is Cory Neal at the U.S. Department of Education, with the program email GPA@ed.gov and a Washington, DC office address and phone number provided in the notice.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program Short-Term Project Assistance Listing Number 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 Jan 14, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2021 Applications Available January 14, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications March 15, 2021. 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 Group Projects Abroad website at www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/index.html. Additionally, for prospective applicants unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, please consult our funding basics resources 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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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