Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9971 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9971

To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to
 improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2026

 Ms. Ross (for herself, Mrs. Foushee, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
                               Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to
 improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing International and Foreign
Language Education Act''.

SEC. 2. GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE LANGUAGE AND AREA CENTERS AND
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 602(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1122(b)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subclause (IV), by striking the period and inserting
        ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(V) the beginning, intermediate, or
                        advanced study of a foreign language related to
                        the graduate student's area of
                        specialization.''.

SEC. 3. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.

    Part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1121 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by striking sections 605 and 606 and inserting the
        following:

``SEC. 605. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support
international and foreign language education research and innovation
projects that encourage and contribute to comprehensive and ongoing
assessment and strengthening of the United States capacity in
international education, including program development, coordination,
delivery, and outcomes in order to meet national needs.
    ``(b) Definition of Eligible Grant Recipient.--In this section, the
term `eligible grant recipient' means the following:
            ``(1) An institution of higher education.
            ``(2) A public or private nonprofit library.
            ``(3) A nonprofit educational organization.
            ``(4) An entity that, as of the date of application for a
        grant under this section--
                    ``(A) has received a grant under this title for a
                preceding year; or
                    ``(B) is receiving a grant under this title.
            ``(5) A partnership or consortium of 2 or more entities
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
    ``(c) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--From amounts made available to carry out
        this section, the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) conduct research and studies that contribute
                to the purposes of this title, including research to
                provide a systematic understanding of the United States
                international and foreign language education capacity,
                structures, and effectiveness in meeting growing
                demands in the education, government, business, and
                nonprofit sectors;
                    ``(B) create innovative paradigms, or enhance or
                scale up proven strategies and practices, that address
                systemic challenges to developing and delivering
                international and foreign language education resources
                and expertise--
                            ``(i) for incorporating across educational
                        disciplines and institutions; and
                            ``(ii) for employers and other
                        stakeholders; and
                    ``(C) develop and manage a national standardized
                database on the strengths, gaps, and trends in the
                international and foreign language education capacity
                of the United States, and document the outcomes of
                programs funded under this title every grant cycle.
            ``(2) Method of implementation.--The Secretary may carry
        out the activities described in paragraph (1) directly or
        through grants or contracts to eligible grant recipients in
        accordance with subsection (d) or (e).
    ``(d) Research and Study Grants.--For any fiscal year for which the
Secretary carries out activities to achieve the outcomes described in
subsection (c)(1) through research and study grants under this section,
the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
entities to pay for the Federal share of research and studies relating
to the systematic development, collection, analysis, publication, and
dissemination of data and other information resources in a manner that
is easily understandable and made publicly available, and that
contributes to achieving the purposes of this title. Such research and
studies may include any of the following:
            ``(1) Assessing and documenting international and foreign
        language education capacity and supply, such as--
                    ``(A) studies and surveys to determine the numbers
                of foreign language courses, programs, and enrollments
                at all levels of education and in all languages,
                including a determination of gaps in those courses or
                programs determined to be critical to the national
                interest;
                    ``(B) studies and surveys of the number and types
                of degrees or certificates awarded in foreign language
                studies, area studies, global studies, and
                international business and professional studies,
                including identification of gaps in those areas of
                study determined critical to the national interest;
                    ``(C) studies and surveys, by language, degree, and
                world area, of--
                            ``(i) the number of foreign language
                        studies, area studies, global studies, or
                        international studies faculty, including
                        international business faculty; and
                            ``(ii) the number of foreign language
                        studies teachers in grades kindergarten through
                        grade 12; and
                    ``(D) studies and surveys of the number of
                undergraduate and graduate students engaging in long-
                or short-term education abroad or internship abroad
                programs as part of their curriculum, including the
                countries of destination.
            ``(2) Assessing the demands for international and foreign
        language education, the outcomes of international and foreign
        language education programs, and the alignment of such demand
        and outcomes, such as--
                    ``(A) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
                determine--
                            ``(i) the demand for increased or improved
                        instruction in foreign language studies, area
                        studies, global studies, or other international
                        fields; and
                            ``(ii) the demand for employees with such
                        skills and knowledge in government, education,
                        and the private sector;
                    ``(B) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
                assess the employment or utilization of graduates of
                programs supported under this title by governmental,
                educational, and private sector entities; and
                    ``(C) studies, surveys, and research symposia to
                assess standardized outcomes and the effectiveness and
                benchmarking of programs supported under this title.
            ``(3) The development and publication of specialized
        materials for use in foreign language studies, area studies,
        global studies, and other international studies, including in
        international business and other professional education, as
        appropriate.
            ``(4) Studies and surveys that identify and document
        systemic challenges and changes needed in higher education and
        elementary school and secondary school systems to make
        international and foreign language education available to all
        students as part of the basic curriculum, which may include--
                    ``(A) challenges in current evaluation standards;
                    ``(B) program entrance and graduation requirements;
                    ``(C) program accreditation;
                    ``(D) student postsecondary degree requirements; or
                    ``(E) legal or workplace barriers for teachers and
                faculty to education and research abroad.
            ``(5) Studies and surveys that identify and document, in
        underrepresented institutions of higher education (including
        minority-serving institutions and community colleges)--
                    ``(A) systemic challenges and changes, incentives,
                and partnerships needed to internationalize educational
                programming in a comprehensive and sustainable way; and
                    ``(B) short- and long-term outcomes of successful
                internationalization strategies and funding models.
            ``(6) Evaluation of the extent to which programs supported
        under this title reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range
        of views and generate debate on world regions and international
        affairs, as described in the application submitted by the
        eligible recipient under subsection (f).
    ``(e) Innovation Project Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--For any fiscal year for which the
        Secretary carries out activities to achieve the outcomes
        described in subsection (c)(1) through innovation grants under
        this subsection, the Secretary shall award such grants, on a
        competitive basis, to eligible entities.
            ``(2) Types of innovation projects.--Innovation projects
        carried out under this subsection may include any of the
        following:
                    ``(A) Innovative paradigms to improve
                communication, sharing, and delivery of resources that
                further the objectives of this title, such as--
                            ``(i) networking and placement structures
                        and systems to more effectively match
                        postsecondary graduates with international and
                        foreign language education skills with the
                        needs of employers across the workforce;
                            ``(ii) sharing international specialist
                        expertise across institutions of higher
                        education or in the workforce to pursue
                        specialization or learning opportunities not
                        available at any single institution of higher
                        education, such as shared courses for
                        studying--
                                    ``(I) less commonly taught
                                languages, world areas, or regions;
                                    ``(II) international business; or
                                    ``(III) specialized research topics
                                of national strategic interest;
                            ``(iii) producing, collecting, organizing,
                        preserving, and widely disseminating
                        international and foreign language education
                        expertise, resources, courses, and other
                        information through the use of electronic
                        technologies and other networking techniques
                        that contribute to the purposes of this title;
                            ``(iv) coordinating initiatives to
                        identify, implement, and provide ongoing access
                        to and creation of digital global library
                        resources; and
                            ``(v) utilizing technology to create open
                        source resources in international studies, area
                        studies, global studies, and foreign language
                        studies that--
                                    ``(I) are adaptable to multiple
                                educational settings; and
                                    ``(II) promote interdisciplinary
                                partnerships between technologists,
                                curriculum designers, international and
                                foreign language education experts,
                                language teachers, and librarians.
                    ``(B) Innovative curriculum, teaching, and learning
                paradigms that further the purposes of this title, such
                as--
                            ``(i) new paradigms for collaborations of
                        disciplinary programs with foreign language
                        studies, area studies, global studies, and
                        international studies, and education abroad
                        programs, that address the internationalization
                        of such disciplinary studies for the purpose of
                        producing globally competent graduates in their
                        fields;
                            ``(ii) innovative collaborations between
                        established centers of international and
                        foreign language education excellence and
                        underrepresented institutions and populations
                        seeking to further their goals for
                        strengthening international, area, global, and
                        foreign language studies, including minority-
                        serving institutions and community colleges;
                            ``(iii) teaching and learning
                        collaborations among foreign language studies,
                        area studies, global studies, or other
                        international studies programs with diaspora
                        communities, including heritage students; and
                            ``(iv) new approaches and methods to
                        teaching emerging global issues, cross-regional
                        interactions, and underrepresented regions or
                        countries, such as project- and team-based
                        learning.
                    ``(C) Innovative assessment and outcome tools and
                techniques that further the purposes of this title,
                such as--
                            ``(i) international and foreign language
                        education assessment techniques that are
                        coupled with outcome-focused training modules
                        and that meet the purposes of this title, such
                        as certificates and badges, immersion learning,
                        or e-portfolio systems; and
                            ``(ii) more effective and easily accessible
                        methods of assessing professionally useful
                        levels of proficiency in foreign languages, or
                        competencies in area studies, culture and
                        global knowledge, or other international fields
                        in programs supported under this title, which
                        may include use of open access online and other
                        cost-effective tools for students and educators
                        at all educational levels and in the workplace.
    ``(f) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant
        under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
        at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
        information and assurances as the Secretary may reasonably
        require.
            ``(2) Contents.--An application submitted under this
        subsection shall include evidence that any proposed innovation
        project described in subsection (e) has a reasonable and
        demonstrable expectation of sustainability once the support
        provided under the grant is completed.
    ``(g) Federal and Non-Federal Share.--
            ``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the total cost
        of carrying out a program supported by a grant under this
        section shall be not more than 66\2/3\ percent.
            ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the
        total cost of carrying out a program supported by a grant under
        this section shall be not less than 33\1/3\ percent. Such share
        may be provided either in kind or in cash, or from
        institutional and non-institutional funds, including
        contributions from State entities and private sector
        corporations or foundations.
            ``(3) Special rule.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the
        required non-Federal share under this subsection for any
        eligible entity that is, or includes, an institution that--
                    ``(A) is a minority-serving institution or a
                community college; and
                    ``(B) has demonstrated a need for a waiver or
                reduction in the application submitted under subsection
                (f).
    ``(h) Database Website; 5-Year Report.--The Secretary shall,
directly or through a grant or contract to an eligible grant
recipient--
            ``(1) establish, curate, maintain, and update at least once
        every grant cycle, a web-based site that--
                    ``(A) showcases results of the activities supported
                under this section; and
                    ``(B) serves as a repository and landing site for
                access to the information, resources, and best
                practices generated through activities supported under
                this section; and
            ``(2) prepare, publish and disseminate to Congress and the
        public every 5 years, a report that summarizes--
                    ``(A) key findings from the activities conducted
                under this section; and
                    ``(B) policy issues the findings may raise with
                respect to international and foreign language education
                and outcomes.''; and
            (2) by redesignating sections 607 through 610 as sections
        606 through 609, respectively.

SEC. 4. GLOBAL BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Part B of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1130 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in the title heading, by striking ``BUSINESS AND
        INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS'' and inserting ``GLOBAL
        BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS''; and
            (2) in section 611 (20 U.S.C. 1130)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting
                        the following:
            ``(1) the future economic welfare of the United States will
        depend substantially on increasing international and global
        skills in the business, educational, and other professional
        communities and creating an awareness among the American public
        of the internationalization of the economy of the United States
        and numerous other professional areas important to our national
        interest in the 21st century;'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) by striking ``language and area
                                study programs'' and inserting
                                ``professional schools and programs,
                                language, area study, and global study
                                programs''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``and security''
                                before ``interests'';
                            (iii) in paragraph (3)--
                                    (I) by striking ``between the'' and
                                inserting ``among--
                    ``(A) the'';
                                    (II) by striking ``business and the
                                international education'' and inserting
                                the following: ``business and other
                                professional fields;
                    ``(B) the international and global education''; and
                                    (III) by striking ``States, and
                                public'' and inserting the following:
                                ``States; and
                    ``(C) public''; and
                            (iv) in paragraph (4)--
                                    (I) by striking ``and State
                                departments of commerce'' and inserting
                                ``, State departments of commerce, and
                                other professional organizations''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``universities and
                                business'' and inserting ``institutions
                                of higher education with businesses or
                                other professions''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) by striking ``and economic
                                enterprise'' and inserting ``, economic
                                enterprise, and security''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``and other
                                professional'' before ``personnel'';
                                and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to
                        prosper in an international'' and inserting
                        ``and other professional fields to prosper in
                        an international global''.

SEC. 5. PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL
              COMPETITIVENESS.

    Section 613 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1130a)
is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 613. PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL
              COMPETITIVENESS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support
innovative strategies that provide undergraduate and graduate students
with the global professional competencies, perspectives, and skills
needed to strengthen and enrich the global engagement and
competitiveness of the United States in a wide variety of professional
and technical fields important to the national interest in the 21st
century.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) an institution of higher education;
                    ``(B) a consortium of institutions of higher
                education; or
                    ``(C) a partnership consisting of 1 or more
                institutions of higher education and 1 or more
                corporate entity or nonprofit organization.
            ``(2) Professional education and technical training.--The
        term `professional education and technical training' means a
        program at an institution of higher education that offers
        undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level education in a
        professional or technical field that is determined by the
        Secretary as meeting a national need for global or
        international competency (which may include a program in the
        field of business, science, technology, engineering, law,
        health, energy, environment, agriculture, transportation, or
        education).
    ``(c) Program Authorized.--From amounts made available to carry out
this section and subject to subsection (g), the Secretary shall award
grants or contracts, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to
enable the eligible entities to carry out programs designed to--
            ``(1) establish an interdisciplinary global dimension in
        the undergraduate and graduate curricula of programs of
        business, science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
        health, environment, energy, agriculture, law, civics, and
        other professional education and technical training, to be
        determined by the Secretary based on national needs;
            ``(2) produce graduates with proficiencies in both the
        global aspects of their professional fields and international,
        cross-cultural, and foreign language skills; and
            ``(3) provide appropriate services to or linkages with
        corporate, government, and nonprofit communities that--
                    ``(A) will expand the knowledge and capacity of
                such communities for global engagement and
                competitiveness; and
                    ``(B) provide internship or employment
                opportunities for postsecondary students and graduates
                with international skills.
    ``(d) Applications.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant or
contract under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information and assurances as the Secretary may reasonably require,
including--
            ``(1) evidence that each project proposed in the
        application has a reasonable and demonstrable expectation of
        sustainability and replicability once the grant or contract
        period is completed;
            ``(2) a copy of the agreement entered into by the eligible
        entity with a private entity or nonprofit organization engaged
        in international economic or other relevant professional
        activity, or a combination or consortium of such entities or
        organizations, for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with
        subsection (c);
            ``(3) assurances that the institution of higher education
        will use the assistance provided under this section for
        activities that supplement, and not supplant, activities
        described in subsection (e) that were carried out by the
        institution of higher education before receiving the grant or
        contract; and
            ``(4) assurances that, where applicable, the activities
        funded by the grant or contract will reflect diverse
        perspectives and a wide range of views on world regions and
        international affairs.
    ``(e) Authorized Activities.--
            ``(1) Mandatory activities.--An eligible entity receiving a
        grant or contract under this section shall use funds provided
        under the grant or contract to carry out all of the following
        activities:
                    ``(A) Combining or incorporating into undergraduate
                or graduate professional education and technical
                training curricula all of the following:
                            ``(i) Foreign language programs that lead
                        to proficiency, including immersion
                        opportunities.
                            ``(ii) International studies, area studies,
                        or global studies programs.
                            ``(iii) Educational programs abroad,
                        internships abroad, or other innovative or
                        technological linkages abroad.
                            ``(iv) Global business, economic, and trade
                        studies, as appropriate.
                    ``(B) Innovation and improvement in international,
                global, and foreign language education curricula to
                serve the needs of business and other professional and
                nonprofit communities, including development of new
                programs for nontraditional, midcareer, or part-time
                students.
                    ``(C) Establishment of educational programs abroad
                or internship programs abroad, or other innovative
                approaches to enable undergraduate or graduate
                professional students to develop their foreign language
                skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies
                and global dimensions of their professional fields.
                    ``(D) Development of collaborations on issues of
                common interest to institutions of higher education,
                corporations, or nonprofit sector organizations
                designed to strengthen engagement and competitiveness
                in global business or trade or other global
                professional activity.
            ``(2) Permissible activities.--An eligible entity receiving
        a grant or contract under this section may use funds provided
        under the grant to carry out any of the following activities:
                    ``(A) Development of specialized teaching materials
                and courses (including foreign language studies, area
                studies, or global studies materials) and innovative
                technological delivery systems appropriate to
                professionally oriented students.
                    ``(B) Establishment of student fellowships or other
                innovative support opportunities for education and
                training in global professional development activities,
                including for underrepresented populations, first
                generation students, and heritage students.
                    ``(C) Development of opportunities or fellowships
                for professional school faculty, including junior
                faculty, to acquire or strengthen international and
                global skills and perspectives, including faculty in
                minority-serving institutions or community colleges.
                    ``(D) Summer, or other academic break, institutes,
                or technology-delivered institutes, in global business,
                science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other
                professional fields, foreign language studies, area
                studies, and global and other international studies
                designed to carry out the purposes of this section.
                    ``(E) Internationalization of curricula at the
                community college level and at minority-serving
                institutions to further the purposes of this section.
                    ``(F) Establishment of linkages overseas--
                            ``(i) with institutions of higher
                        education, corporations and other private
                        entities, and nonprofit organizations; and
                            ``(ii) that contribute to the educational
                        purpose of this section.
                    ``(G) Development of programs to inform the public
                of--
                            ``(i) increasing global interdependence in
                        a wide variety of professional fields such as
                        business, science, technology, engineering,
                        mathematics, health, environment, energy,
                        agriculture, law, civics, and other areas; and
                            ``(ii) the role of the United States within
                        the global system.
                    ``(H) Establishment of trade education programs
                through cooperative arrangements with--
                            ``(i) regional, national, and global trade
                        centers and councils; and
                            ``(ii) bilateral and multilateral trade
                        associations.
    ``(f) Federal Share; Non-Federal Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any funds provided through a grant under
        this section shall be used to pay the Federal share of the
        activities carried out under the grant.
            ``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a
        program supported by a grant under this section shall not be
        more than 50 percent.
            ``(3) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
        of the program supported by a grant under this section--
                    ``(A) shall be not less than 50 percent; and
                    ``(B) may be provided either in cash or in kind,
                from institutional and non-institutional funds,
                including contributions from State entities and private
                sector corporations or foundations.
            ``(4) Special rule.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and
        (3), the Secretary may waive or reduce the required non-Federal
        share under this section for an eligible entity that is, or
        includes, an institution that--
                    ``(A) is a minority-serving institution or is a
                community college; and
                    ``(B) has submitted a grant application under this
                section that demonstrates a need for a waiver or
                reduction.
    ``(g) Funding Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
title, the Secretary shall only award grants or contracts under this
section for a fiscal year if the total amount of funding under this
title is greater than the total of such amount for fiscal year 2027.''.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 631(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1132(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4), (5)
        through (8), and (9) through (10), as paragraphs (3) through
        (5), (7) through (10), and (12) through (13), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) the term `community college' has the meaning given
        the term `junior or community college' in section 312(f);'';
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated by
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(6) the term `heritage student' means a postsecondary
        student who--
                    ``(A) was born in the United States to immigrant
                parents or immigrated to the United States at an early
                age;
                    ``(B) is proficient in English, but raised in a
                family primarily speaking 1 or more languages of the
                country of origin; and
                    ``(C) maintains a close affinity with the family's
                culture and language of origin;''; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated by
        paragraph (1), the following:
            ``(11) the term `minority-serving institution' means an
        eligible institution under section 371(a);''.

SEC. 7. REPEAL OF UNFUNDED PROGRAMS AND DUPLICATIVE REQUIREMENTS.

    Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by striking part C;
            (2) by redesignating part D as part C; and
            (3) by striking sections 637 and 638.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et
seq.), as amended by this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by striking sections 609 (as redesignated under section
        3(2) of this Act) and 614; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 637. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027 and each of the 5
succeeding fiscal years.''.
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