Pre-Application Technical Assistance

Needs Analysis 

What is the Needs Analysis?

The Needs Analysis is a critical evaluation factor to the Undergraduate 

International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) application. The Needs 

Analysis outlines who the institution is, how it is committed to international 

education, why there is a need for UISFL funding, and how the UISFL grant 

will yield positive results for students. The core intent of the UISFL program 

is to build capacity at institutions, and the Needs Analysis speaks to the 

need for assistance to build international education capacity. 

What is being asked? 

For reference from 34 CFR 658.32:

1

3

 2

The Secretary looks for information that shows--

(i) The extent to which the proposed activities are needed at the

applicant institution;

(ii) The extent to which the proposed use of Federal funds will result

in the implementation of a program in international studies and foreign 

languages at the applicant institution; 

(iii) The likelihood that the activities initiated with Federal funds will

be continued after Federal assistance is terminated; and 

(iv) The adequacy of the provisions for sharing the materials and

results of the program with other institutions of higher education. 

Commitment to 

International Education

Elements of International 

Studies Program

Need for and Prospective 

Results of Proposed 

Program

Needs Analysis Components 

Commitment to 

International 

Education

Provide commentary and evidence about the 

organizational commitment to international education, 

noting how this grant builds capacity for your institution 

to continue expanding its commitment long term.

Elements 

of the 

International 

Studies 

Program

Give an overview of your institution. Discuss your 

current status and future goals when it comes to 

international education, noting how this will contribute to 

developing or strengthening international studies 

and/or foreign languages.

Need for

and Prospective 

Results of 

Proposed Project

Discuss and show supporting information as to why this 

grant is needed at your institution. This should also 

connect to sharing what the proposed impact will be 

and how this will impact students.

This document provides a summary guide on some of the UISFL program regulations and application requirements. Do not rely solely on 

the information in this document for guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations 

published in the Federal Register for additional information, as these are the official documents governing the competition.
Commitment to International Education

Commitment to 

International 

Education

1

Provide commentary and evidence about the 

organizational commitment to international education, 

noting how this grant builds capacity for your institution 

to continue expanding its commitment long term.

Potential Elements

Number of International 

Focused Courses

Share information about 

international focused 

courses at your institution. 

This can include existing 

courses across the 

curriculum and 

disciplines. It is helpful if 

you can discuss how 

frequent the courses are 

offered and how UISFL 

funds will improve the 

commitment to 

Internationalization.

Faculty & Administration 

Involvement in Planning

Highlight strong 

involvement from both 

faculty and administrators 

in the planning of the 

proposed project. This 

can be exhibited in a 

variety of ways, such as 

(but not limited to): 

sharing data from student 

surveys and information 

on faculty formed 

committees in 

development of the 

project. 

Institutional Commitment 

from key Admin & Faculty

Include Letters of 

Commitment from 

administrators and faculty 

that discuss plans for 

longevity of project. 

Another element could be 

sharing the plans 

(including the guidelines 

or protocols) which 

outline how the institution 

will expand international 

course offerings on 

campus. 

Institutional Funds to 

Support Program 

Discuss how Institutional 

funds will be used to 

support the program. 

Elements that can be 

included in this support are 

funds for: faculty, staff, and 

administrator salaries, 

facilities, computers and 

other IT equipment, library 

holdings, student 

scholarships, and supplies 

for co-curricular 

programming. 

Best Practices 

CONNECT

your institutions’ mission to 

the need to internationalize 

your institution

FORM

an advisory committee 

(faculty and administration) 

to identify critical needs for 

internationalization 

COLLABORATE

across disciplines to 

maximize curriculum, 

faculty, and student 

development. 

This document provides a summary guide on some of the UISFL program regulations and application requirements. Do not rely solely on 

the information in this document for guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations 

published in the Federal Register for additional information, as these are the official documents governing the competition.
Elements of International Studies Program

Elements 

of the 

International 

Studies 

Program

2 Give an overview of your institution. Discuss your 

current status and future goals when it comes to 

international education, noting how this will contribute to 

developing or strengthening international studies 

and/or foreign languages.

Potential Elements

Proposed Activities

Discuss how your 

proposed activities 

promote Undergraduate 

International Education. 

This can include foreign 

language, cross 

discipline, and 

interdisciplinary courses 

and could incorporate 

existing curricula that is 

revised or creation of new 

courses that include both 

class and international 

fieldwork components. 

Interdisciplinary Aspects 

of the Program

Courses can be designed

to engage with Foreign 

Languages and Global 

Issues that draw on the 

humanities, social 

sciences, and natural 

sciences. Note how you 

are promoting 

interdisciplinary reflection 

by addressing multiple 

points of view and 

incorporating readings 

from a broad range of 

disciplines

Plans for Improving & Expanding 

Language Instruction

Share how your activities 

promote the impact of 

curricular innovations on

improving and expanding

foreign language instruction

and international studies in

general. Provide proof of 

foreign language 

requirements (two years in 

high school or before 

undergraduate graduation) 

to meet language 

competitive priority. 

Best Practices 

SHOW

development of an 

international studies program 

which is interdisciplinary and 

focuses on global issues

CREATE

innovative curricula which 

combines the teaching of 

international studies with 

professional studies

OFFER

a study abroad program 

both virtual and in person

This document provides a summary guide on some of the UISFL program regulations and application requirements. Do not rely solely on 

the information in this document for guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations 

published in the Federal Register for additional information, as these are the official documents governing the competition.
Need for and Prospective Results 

 

Need for and 

Prospective 

Results of 

Proposed Project

3

Discuss and show supporting information as to why this 

grant is needed at your institution. This should also 

connect to sharing what the proposed impact will be 

and how this will impact students.

Potential Elements

Need for Proposed 

Activities 

Discuss the overall 

desires for this type of 

program and how it 

reflects needs of the 

student body. Share how 

this work will promote 

intercultural 

understanding and 

prepare students to 

compete in an 

increasingly 

interconnected global 

society. 

Use of Federal Funds 

Include strong plan and 

rationale for how federal 

funds will be used. This 

can include but is not 

limited to funds to 

support international

virtual exchange, 

materials and supplies 

related to curriculum 

development and 

teaching, and 

promotional materials

and advertising.

Post-Grant Continuation 

of Project

Reiterate how faculty and 

administration will 

continue to show 

commitment to extending 

project activities beyond 

the grant period. Discuss 

the ways in which the 

project team expects 

more faculty to be 

interested in revising or 

developing new courses 

in these areas. 

Sharing of Program 

Materials 

Discuss the plan for 

disseminating information 

about the project’s 

activities, materials, and 

results. This information 

can be shared in a variety 

of ways but examples 

include: links to relevant 

web pages managed by 

Institution and International 

partners, and links to 

project’s social media 

accounts on various 

potential platforms. 

Best Practices 

RESEARCH

and discuss how new and 

enhanced offerings will be 

integrated to contribute to 

the growth of your 

programs and make a 

difference

DEVELOP

and disseminate materials 

designed to serve as a 

resource for international 

studies 

DISCUSS

the importance of 

outreach and how that 

grow your programs

This document provides a summary guide on some of the UISFL program regulations and application requirements. Do not rely solely on 

the information in this document for guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations 

published in the Federal Register for additional information, as these are the official documents governing the competition.
Questions and Support 

Common Questions 

Who is eligible to apply?

Institutions of higher education (IHEs); consortia of 

institutions of higher education; partnerships 

between nonprofit educational organizations and 

institutions of higher education; and public and 

private nonprofit agencies and organizations, 

including professional and scholarly associations.

Can we view samples of previously 

funded successful applications?

Yes! Please go to the Awards section 

on the UISFL web site at: 

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/awards.html

and click on “Successful grant applications.” 

Is there a matching requirement?

Yes. Applicants are required to make a nonfederal contribution to the costs associated with 

carrying out the project. Applicants can meet the 

one-to-one match with in-kind or cash 

contributions. For example, if you request 

$90,000 in year one, you must match it in equal 

dollars in year one.

Under the ‘Special Rule,’ however, an applicant 

that is eligible to receive assistance under part A 

or B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher 

Education Act of 1965, may request a reduction 

or a waiver of the match. 

For full list of FAQs and resources, please visit our program website:

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/faq.html

Get in Touch! 

Point of Contact: 

Tanyelle Richardson, Program Lead

tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov

(202) 453-6391

This document provides a summary guide on some of the UISFL program regulations and application requirements. Do not rely solely on 

the information in this document for guidance. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and the program regulations 

published in the Federal Register for additional information, as these are the official documents governing the competition.