The U.S. Department of State will take over a broad portfolio of international education and foreign language programs previously run by the Department of Education, officials announced Monday, marking one of the most significant restructurings of federal academic programs in years.
“The partnership leverages the State Department’s global reach and international education and public diplomacy expertise to advance U.S. national security and America First foreign policy priorities,” the Department said in a statement.
Under the agreement, the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will lead programs established by Title VI of the Higher Education Act and the Fulbright-Hays Act — initiatives long considered central to U.S. foreign language capacity, area studies, and overseas academic research.
The programs shifting to the State Department include the American Overseas Research Centers, National Resource Centers, Language Resource Centers, Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, the Business and International Education Program, and all Fulbright-Hays research, faculty, and group projects abroad.
A fact sheet from the Education Department explains that the restructuring aims to “streamline agency policies and programmatic requirements” while ensuring the programs support foreign policy and national security goals.
State Department officials argue they are better positioned to align these initiatives with U.S. strategic interests. “State already manages a number of international education grants, including the Fulbright Program,” the document noted. “This partnership will allow State to oversee all foreign education programs.”
Education Department officials emphasized that while operational control is shifting, statutory responsibilities and oversight remain with the department.
The realignment follows criticism from the Trump administration, which argued that some Fulbright-Hays–funded academic projects had “deviated from the core mission” of strengthening U.S. global competitiveness. Examples cited include research exploring transgender experiences in Colombia, Canada, Czechia, Slovakia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Under the interagency agreement — authorized through the Economy Act — the State Department will manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate the affected programs into the broader Fulbright and international education ecosystem. The Education Department will retain oversight and continue its statutory duties.
Officials said no disruptions are expected for grantees. “Eligible institutions will not see adverse impacts,” the fact sheet said, adding that participants should continue regular communication with Education and State program staff.
Interagency agreements of this kind are not unprecedented. The Education Department and the Department of Labor have used similar frameworks to manage major grant programs, including recent workforce development initiatives.
The partnership will take effect ahead of the FY 2026 funding cycle, should Congress choose to allocate funds for the affected programs.
