About
The IDEAS Program strengthens U.S. study abroad partnerships and programs in fields critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. Through small grants, trainings, and resources, the IDEAS Program increases the number of U.S. students gaining international experiences and broadens the destinations where U.S. students study abroad, particularly to strategic locations where American engagement matters. The Program enables higher education institutions across the United States to develop and administer international programming that contributes to career readiness, and supports American competitiveness, national security interests, and engagement with the world. The program also provides virtual and in-person capacity building initiatives to help expand U.S. study abroad programs, including to destinations overseas where American engagement is critical. Since its inception in 2016, the program has provided more than 215 small grants to U.S. higher education institutions in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, to develop programs and partnerships with higher education institutions in nearly 100 countries.
The IDEAS Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by World Learning.

PROGRAM BENEFITS
IDEAS grants are designed to assist U.S. higher education institutions increase U.S. student mobility. The grant competition is open to U.S. institutions of higher education with a broad range of capacity to administer study abroad programs. Institutions that currently have limited experience administering study abroad programs as well as those with established programs are eligible to apply for grant funding. Grant recipients can use their awarded funds to:
- Create a faculty-led study abroad program,
- Create a new study abroad position at the college or university,
- Form or further develop relationships with universities in a wide variety of international locations; and/or
- Develop virtual exchange models and programs that complement in-person exchange programs and campus internationalization goals.
PROGRAM GOALS
Increase the number of U.S. undergraduate students studying or interning abroad for credit.
Broaden American student mobility, both in terms of the students taking part and the destinations where they travel.
Gain access to study abroad best practices through an in-person community and virtual library of resources.