Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2022

Findings

Congress makes the following findings:(1)To prepare students for success in the modern global economy, opportunities for study abroad should be included as part of a well-rounded education.(2)Study abroad programs provide students with unparalleled access to international knowledge, an unmatched opportunity to learn foreign languages, and a unique environment for developing cultural understanding, all of which are knowledge and skills needed in today’s global economy.(3)Only 10 percent of United States college students study abroad before they graduate, leaving 90 percent of graduates entering the workforce without the global skills, knowledge, and experiences afforded by study abroad programs that will position them for success in the global economy. Minority students, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities are also significantly underrepresented in study abroad participation.(4)Congress authorized the establishment of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program (referred to in this section as the Lincoln Commission) under section 104 of the Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2004 (division H of Public Law 108–199). Pursuant to its mandate, the Lincoln Commission submitted a report to Congress and to the President containing its recommendations for greatly expanding the opportunity for students at institutions of higher education in the United States to study abroad, with special emphasis on studying in developing nations.(5)According to the Lincoln Commission, [e]xperience shows that leadership from administrators and faculty will drive the number of study abroad participants higher and improve the quality of programs. Such leadership is the only way that study abroad will become an integral part of the undergraduate experience. A competitive grant program is necessary to encourage and support such leadership.(6)Student health, safety, and security while studying abroad is, and must continue to be, a priority for institutions of higher education and study abroad programs.(7)The COVID–19 pandemic has limited or prevented students from participating in study abroad due to travel restrictions and reduced budgets. In the post-pandemic world, increasing access to study abroad for students at institutions of higher education throughout the United States will be critical to ensuring that those students gain the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to maintain the leadership of the United States in tackling global challenges, such as pandemics, and succeeding in a global economy.

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are—(1)to ensure that significantly more students have access to quality study abroad opportunities;(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 institutions of higher education to expand study abroad opportunities.

Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program

(a)

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 Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students Program (commonly known as IDEAS) as the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program (referred to in this section as the Program); and (B)enhance the program in accordance with this paragraph. (2)

Objectives

Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2022, the Program shall strive to accomplish the following objectives:(A)At least 1,000,000 undergraduate students from the United States are studying abroad annually.(B)The demographics of study abroad participation reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate population through an increase in the participation rate of previously underrepresented groups.(C)An increasing portion of study abroad takes place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such increases in developing countries.(3)

Competitive grants to institutions of higher education

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—(A)set forth detailed plans for using grant funds to further such objectives;(B)include an institutional commitment to expanding access to study abroad;(C)include plans for evaluating progress made in increasing access to study abroad;(D)describe how increases in study abroad participation achieved through the grant will be sustained in subsequent years; and(E)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.(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) may 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.(b)

Annual report

Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that describes the implementation of the Program during the most recently concluded fiscal year.(c)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023 and for each subsequent fiscal year.(d)

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)

Student

The term student means an individual who—(A)meets the requirements under section 484(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5)); and(B)is enrolled at an institution of higher education located within the United States.(5)

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.