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 the Fulbright Online Art Gallery.

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 Russia and the New Independent States (NIS), Eastern Europe, and the Balkans 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.

The Educational Information and Resources Branch (Education USA) 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.

Study of the United States 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 Partnership Programs support educational linkages between U.S. and foreign post-secondary institutions through faculty and staff exchanges on themes of mutual interest.

The International Visitor 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 non-profit 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 cultural and youth exchange programs.

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.

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.