Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026

The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to ensure that significantly more students have access to quality study abroad opportunities, especially among low- income students and students of color; (2) to ensure that the diversity of students studying abroad reflects the diversity of students and institutions of higher education in the United States; (3) to encourage greater diversity in study abroad destinations by increasing the portion of study abroad that takes place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, especially in developing countries; and (4) to encourage a greater commitment by United States institutions of higher education to expand study abroad opportunities. SEC. 4. SENATOR PAUL SIMON STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Consortium.--The term ``consortium'' means a group that-- (A) includes at least 1 institution of higher education; and (B) may include nongovernmental organizations that provide and promote study abroad opportunities for students. (2) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (3) Nontraditional study abroad destination.--The term ``nontraditional study abroad destination'' means a location that is determined by the Secretary of State to be a less common destination for students who study abroad. (4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program, as renamed pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(A). (5) Student.--The term ``student'' means-- (A) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or a national of the United States or (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (20) and (22) of section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))) who is enrolled at an institution of higher education located within the United States; or (B) an individual who is an eligible noncitizen for Federal student aid, as determined by the Secretary of Education for purposes of the Federal student loan program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.). (6) Study abroad.--The term ``study abroad'' means an educational program of study, work, service learning, research, internship, or combination of such activities that-- (A) is conducted outside of the United States; and (B) carries academic credit. (7) World language.--The term ``world language'' means any natural language other than English, including-- (A) languages determined by the Secretary of State to be critical to the national security interests of the United States; (B) classical languages; (C) American sign language; and (D) Native American languages. (b) Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program.-- (1) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of appropriations and under the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), the Secretary of State shall-- (A) rename the IDEAS Program, or any successor program, as the ``Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program''; and (B) enhance the Program in accordance with this section. (2) Objections.--The objectives of the Program are that not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act-- (A) not fewer than 1,000,000 undergraduate students from the United States will study abroad annually; (B) the demographics of study abroad participation will reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate population by increasing the participation rate of underrepresented groups; and (C) an increasing portion of study abroad will take place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such increases in developing countries. (3) Competitive grants to institutions of higher education.-- (A) In general.--In order to accomplish the objectives described in paragraph (2), the Secretary of State shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education, either individually or as part of a consortium, based on applications by such institutions that-- (i) set forth detailed plans for using grant funds to further such objectives; (ii) include an institutional commitment to expanding access to study abroad; (iii) include plans for evaluating progress made in increasing access to study abroad; (iv) describe how increases in study abroad participation achieved through the grant will be sustained in subsequent years; and (v) demonstrate that the study abroad programs have established health, safety, and security guidelines and procedures, informed by Department of State travel advisories and other appropriate Federal agencies and resources, including the Overseas Security Advisory Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (B) Priority.--In awarding grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give priority to-- (i) minority-serving institutions listed under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)); (ii) eligible institutions (as defined in section 312(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(b))) that qualify for the Strengthening Institutions Program of the Department of Education; and (iii) institutions that offer study abroad programs with a significant world language learning component, as applicable. (4) Implementation of lincoln commission recommendations.-- In administering the Program, the Secretary of State shall take fully into account the recommendations of the Lincoln Commission, including-- (A) institutions of higher education applying for grants described in paragraph (3) shall use Program funds to support direct student costs; (B) diversity shall be a defining characteristic of the Program; and (C) quality control shall be a defining characteristic of the Program. (5) Consultation.--In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary of State shall consult with representatives of diverse institutions of higher education and educational policy organizations and other individuals with appropriate expertise. (c) Annual Report.--Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary of State shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that details the implementation of the Program during the most recently concluded fiscal year. (d) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized to be appropriated, for fiscal year 2027 and for each subsequent fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Program. <all>