Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill creates the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program within the State Department, renaming the existing IDEAS Program. It sets a goal of having at least 1 million undergraduate students studying abroad every year within 10 years, up from current levels where only about 10% of college students study abroad before graduating.
• The program awards competitive grants to colleges and universities, either individually or as part of a consortium, to expand study abroad access. Grant funds must be used to support direct student costs like travel and tuition. Schools applying must demonstrate health, safety, and security guidelines for students overseas.
• The bill prioritizes making study abroad more accessible to underrepresented groups, including low-income students, students of color, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities. Minority-serving institutions and schools qualifying for the Strengthening Institutions Program get priority for grants.
• The program encourages students to study in nontraditional destinations, especially developing countries, rather than the most common study abroad locations. It also promotes world language learning, including languages critical to national security.
• Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2027 and beyond as "such sums as may be necessary," meaning Congress would still need to approve actual spending each year through the appropriations process. The bill does not specify a dollar amount.