The UISFL program is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen the undergraduate instructional program in the areas of international studies and foreign languages.

Institutions of higher education (IHEs); combinations of institutions of higher education; partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher education; and public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations.

Grantees will be selected through a rigorous peer review process. Selection will be based upon the selection criteria stated in the application and published in the Federal Register.

Yes. Applicants are required to make a non-federal contribution to the costs associated with carrying out the project. Applicants can meet the one-to-one match with in-kind or cash contributions. For example, if you request $85,000 in year one, you must match in equal dollars in year one.

Under the ‘Special Rule,’ however, an applicant that is eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, may request a reduction or a waiver of the match. It is suggested that an applicant that meets the Special Rule request a reduction and not a waiver as a reflection of their commitment to such project and as a reflection of their capacity to support such project during and beyond the project period.

The average award size can vary slightly from one year to the next, but on average for a single IHE it is $78,000 each budget year and for a consortia of IHEs, or for public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, it is $120,000 each budget year. However, the maximum federal contribution to a single IHE can be up to $90,000 annually and for a consortia of IHEs, etc., it can be up to $140,000 annually.

Up to 24 months for an award made to a single IHE; or up to 36 months for an award made to consortia of IHEs, or partnerships or organizations/associations.

Consistent with section 75.562 of Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), all grant recipients are limited to a maximum indirect cost rate of eight percent of a total direct cost base.

Yes. Two items that very often are not included in the budget but should be are: (1) the costs associated with attending the annual meeting of project directors; and (2) the costs associated with bringing in an external evaluator each budget year.

The budget should reflect using federal funds to cover these two expenditures when creating a budget. On average, the cost for attending the annual project directors’ meeting is $2,000 per participant each budget year. We usually encourage the applicant to budget for two people to attend the meeting annually. As for the expenditures for the external evaluator, we suggest charging the grant a minimum of $600 per day plus expenses each budget year. Applicants normally charge up to four days each budget year for a total of $2,400 honorarium (three days on campus and one day’s compensation for writing up a report) plus expenses.

Yes. Applicants are limited to a 40-page narrative.

Yes. However, an applicant must be mindful to submit only what is requested and what would be considered supporting documentation of the narrative. Examples include: (1) a line-item budget for each budget year; (2) letters of support from appropriate administrators, deans, etc.; (3) two-page curricula vitae for all project personnel and participants (meaning the project director(s), faculty participants, external evaluator, consultants, etc.); and (4) course listings of pertinent international, area, and foreign language courses currently being offered.

Yes. You must submit your application through Grants.gov.

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