Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Latest News & Highlights >> The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Releases A New Publication: The Exchange The United States places a premium on international dialogue and education in order to increase mutual respect and understanding. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) exchange programs have served as vital and dynamic diplomatic tools for more than half a century, promoting mutual understanding between Americans and the people of other nations. Read more about this in The Exchange. [293KB PDF document | Download free PDF reader] >> A Personal Reflection on September 11, 2001 The Italian daily Il Gazzettino published an article by Assistant Secretary Patricia Harrison in which she recalls the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent outpouring of goodwill from the Italian people. Read the article >> Secretary Colin L. Powell Delivers Remarks at the Signing of the U.S. Participation Contract In the Aichi, Japan 2005 World Exposition "I welcome you all to the State Department because this is an important ceremony as we formalize America's commitment to take part in the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan...How very appropriate it is that today's signing ceremony should take place here in the Ben Franklin State Dining Room. It was truly an inspired idea to make "The Franklin Spirit" the theme of the [U.S.] Pavilion...I want to pass on the legacy of Ben Franklin and this room gives these dedicated young men and women a deep sense of connection to the generations of public servants, going all the way back to Benjamin Franklin, who have contributed so much to our nation and to the world....He was a master of what we now call public diplomacy. When he wasn't playing with lightning in the backyard, he was winning America friends abroad by his charm and by his intellect." Read the Complete Transcript

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs. The bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences.

The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators. This site includes Fulbright Commissions and other information on the program.

EducationUSA promotes U.S. higher education abroad, supports overseas advising centers, collaborates with U.S. educational organizations to strengthen international exchange, and manages the Gilman study abroad scholarship program.

The Office of English Language Programs creates and implements high quality, targeted English language programs overseas to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Staff, including overseas-based Regional English Language Officers, plan, conduct and support programs sponsored by American Embassies and Consulates.

Programs for Eurasia and Southeast Europe include activities involving individual fellowships or institutional linkages.

Requests for Grant Proposals announce the latest bureau funding opportunities for academic, and non-profit institutions seeking exchanges and training grants.

The Humphrey Fellowships bring mid-level professionals from developing countries to the United States for a year of academic study and professional experiences.

Study of the U.S. promotes better understanding of the U.S. through Summer Institutes for foreign university faculty. This site also contains an extensive number of links to on-line American Studies resources.

Educational Partnerships Program supports educational linkages between U.S. and foreign post-secondary institutions through faculty and staff exchanges on themes of mutual interest.

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the U.S. to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to experience firsthand the U.S. and its institutions.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges develops professional, cultural and youth programs with nonprofit American institutions, including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities. Thematic categories for grants include civil society, NGO development, civic education, media development, judicial training, intellectual property rights, and public administration among other themes. The office has three geographic divisions — Europe/Eurasia; Near East, South Asia and Africa; and Western Hemisphere and East Asia — as well as divisions for youth and cultural, including ECA's CultureConnect web site.

International Cultural Property Protection represents U.S. responsibilities in protecting the cultural patrimony of other countries.

The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, established by Congress for the fiscal year 2001, aims to assist less developed countries in preserving their cultural heritage and to demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures.

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This site is maintained by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Links to other sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.