Functional Statements > Office of Postsecondary Education > OPE Functions and Responsibilities

International and Foreign Language Education Programs

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE), who reports to the Assistant Secretary, has responsibility for encouraging and promoting the study of foreign languages and the world regions where these languages are used; the study of the cultures of other countries at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels in the United States; and the preparation of experts with global competencies to meet U.S. national needs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary also coordinates efforts with other Federal agencies that administer related international education and foreign language training programs; and with international education associations, professional organizations, and the higher education community regarding internationalization of instructional programs and activities. The Deputy Assistant Secretary coordinates with other service areas in Higher Education Programs to identify  programs with interrelated purposes  to increase the participation of HEP institutions and students in international education programs and activities; and collaborates with the Department's International Affairs Office on issues pertinent to internal and external stakeholders.

IFLE performs planning, policy development, and pre- and post- grant administration functions for  domestic international education programs authorized by Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the overseas international education programs authorized by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act).   Additionally, IFLE works closely with the  International Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary as well as other principal operating components to advise on  or assist with  international activities that include international organizations and the educational systems of other countries as well as U.S. postsecondary education. IFLE also  advises foreign delegations and visitors on U.S. higher education structure, foreign language training, and international  educational activities and programs.

IFLE defines and articulates international education program goals and objectives; identifies and implements policy changes needed to achieve goals and objectives; evaluates program effectiveness; develops and updates program administration manuals; revises program regulations; develops performance measures for all programs; and, in conjunction with the Assistant Secretary's office, prepares an annual funding schedule and strategy, incorporating the goals and objectives of the Secretary, where applicable; and develops program selection criteria and funding priorities for publication in the Federal Register. Other grant administration functions include the oversight of the application, peer review, and awards processes in ED's grants management system, and all other functions necessary for the administration and monitoring of new and continuation awards.

IFLE coordinates with appropriate agencies and entities to provide guidance about OPE's or U.S. institutions' participation in bilateral and multilateral education programs and activities. IFLE promotes excellence in foreign languages and area studies and supports international education research, training, and overseas cultural experiences to strengthen U.S. global competencies and the capacity to engage with diverse cultures.

The following groups are under the auspices of the IFLE Deputy Assistant Secretary:

• Advanced Training and Research Group
• International Studies Group

Through their respective programs, each group--

• Advances national security by developing a pipeline of highly proficient linguists and experts in critical world regions;
• Contributes to developing a globally competent workforce able to engage with a multilingual and/or multicultural clientele at home and abroad;
• Expands access to international and foreign language learning, especially for traditionally underserved students; and
• Supports teaching and research on critical world regions, foreign languages, international business, and global issues.

The following programs are administered by the Advanced Training and Research Group:

• National Resource Centers
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
• Centers for International Business Education
• International Research and Studies
• Language Resource Centers
• American Overseas Research Centers

The following programs are administered by the International Studies Group:

• Business and International Education
• Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language
• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
• Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (pending FY 2022 available funds)
• Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (Short-term and Long-term)
• Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad

The Advanced Training and Research Group and the International Studies Group are responsible for performing the full range of activities related to program development and implementation, grant administration, data collection and analysis, and performance monitoring for the programs in their respective areas. Staff participates in the implementation of the programs assigned to the groups using their specialized knowledge,  skills, and experiences in teaching, higher education policy and administration, international education, and other relevant backgrounds  needed for  the effective and efficient conduct of functions and responsibilities. Staff work on cross-group assignments such as monitoring peer review panels for grant competitions, developing annual reports, planning conferences, workshops, and events, and establishing performance measures to assess the impact of IFLE programs. These cross-group  activities are designed to ensure maximum coordination and utilization of IFLE's resources. As appropriate, selected staff members from the groups form ad hoc working teams  to plan and carry out tasks such as regulations revisions, strategic plans, special events, e.g., International Education Week, technical workshops, budget development, and communications and outreach strategies, the annual funding plan, and data reports.

In addition to  planning and developing program guidance, policy, and procedures for assessing the extent to which grantees' projects are in alignment with the legislative purposes and intent for the IFLE programs, e.g., regulations packages, program administration manuals, and annual performance reports, the groups are responsible for conducting activities required by Congress, including biennial surveys to track trends in how alumni of international training programs are using foreign language(s) and other international education skills in career sectors; and consultations with Federal agencies to solicit recommendations regarding national need for expertise in foreign languages and world regions, prior to conducting grant competitions under certain international education programs.

The groups direct all pre- and post-award activities for awarding new and non-competing continuation grants. Pre-award functions include the development of the application listing notices for the Federal Register, technical review plans for the conduct of grant competitions,  development and OMB clearance of application instructions and forms, technical assistance to applicants, oversight of the peer review process, and the development of funding slate memos for transmittal to the Office of the Assistant Secretary. Post-award functions include project  monitoring  to ascertain grantees' compliance and substantial progress, maintaining program schedules and budgets, providing technical assistance throughout the performance period, and closing out grants in accordance with the Department guidance.

International Resource Information System

IFLE manages and maintains the International Resource Information System (IRIS), a customized web-based system for collecting grantee annual performance reports, conducting program and project data analyses, managing grantee budgets and revision requests, and archiving historical information for all Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs. Program staff in each IFLE group are responsible for managing and maintaining their grant portfolios in IRIS. They use IRIS to review and evaluate grantees' performance reports to assess substantial progress, to conduct program- and project-level data analyses, to determine program data requirements, and to reply to specific inquiries from internal and external constituencies about institutional characteristics, and funded activities. IRIS information is integral to the preparation of annual reports, recommendations for non-competing continuation awards, and for extrapolating conclusions about the impact of the federal investment in international education programs. Moreover, staff use the online system for operational tasks such as approving overseas language programs, travel requests, and time extensions.