Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Latest News & Highlights >> State Department Welcomes Iraqi Local Government Officials The U.S. Department of State welcomes four Iraqi local government representatives to the United States for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to explore the nature of local government in the United States and to the institutions and organizations that support its work. The delegation consists of four representatives of the Iraqi cities of Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, the city of Baghdad and the Province of Baghdad to the United States. More >> Statement by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on 2004-2005 U.S. Fulbright Grantees "I am pleased to release the official list of U.S. Fulbright student grantees for the 2004-2005 academic year. This year, under the nation's premier exchange program, 1,099 American students have been awarded Fulbright grants to study and conduct research in more than 110 countries throughout the world." Read Secretary Powell's Complete Statement >> 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. [288KB PDF document | Download free PDF reader]

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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