The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program. UDC is one of 37 U.S. colleges and universities, and one of five HBCUs that will use an IDEAS grant to establish, expand and broaden American student mobility overseas in support of U.S. foreign policy goals.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious grant from the U.S. Department of State’s IDEAS Program,” said UDC Chief Academic Officer April Massey, Ph.D. “This funding will significantly enhance and expand our efforts to provide our students with invaluable, transformative international experiences. These opportunities equip students with the global perspective and skills needed to thrive in today’s interconnected world, yet can be out of reach for many of our students who juggle competing responsibilities. This award is critical to helping us build out our slate of immersive learning opportunities and to shaping the mindsets and skill sets that will position our graduates competitively.” 

The IDEAS Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the federal government and supported in its implementation by World Learning. In 2024, IDEAS grants will support programming to 36 destinations around the world. Since 2016, the program has awarded 216 grants to 205 institutions in 49 U.S. states and territories to establish, expand and broaden their U.S. study abroad programs in over 95 countries across all world regions. In addition to the IDEAS grant competition, the program also offers opportunities for international educators at U.S. colleges and universities to participate in free virtual and in-person study abroad capacity-building activities. 

“The U.S. Department of State is proud to support these U.S. colleges and universities as they build capacity for more American students to study abroad in diverse locations around the world. Increasing the number of U.S. students with international experiences is part of our investment in ensuring that our country’s future leaders have the skills they need in fields ranging from global health to technology and innovation,” said Heidi Manley, Chief of USA Study Abroad.