Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 060526 001
The Centers Aligned with Areas for National Need (CAANN) program (Assistance Listing Number 84.015C) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, run in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The core purpose is to strengthen U.S. capacity in international and foreign language education in ways that support national security and long-term economic interests. Through this competition, ED is seeking proposals that build or expand campus-based centers focused on languages and regional expertise that the federal government considers strategically important.
Funded projects are expected to address national needs by delivering instruction in critical languages and by pairing that language study with deeper academic and practical understanding of the world regions where those languages are used. The notice highlights many examples of languages that may fit this priority, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Czech, Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, Hindi, Urdu, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Farsi, Bahasa, Thai, and other languages tied to U.S. strategic priorities. Beyond language classes alone, the program emphasizes building broader knowledge about regions and countries, supporting research and training in international studies, and integrating international and foreign-language perspectives into professional and other academic fields. In other words, the program is aimed at producing graduates and research capacity that can contribute to government, business, education, and other sectors where language skills and regional expertise matter.
A central theme of the opportunity is advancing U.S. national security interests through education and training focused on critical regions. The description specifically calls out Latin America, Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia as regions of interest. Applicants should read this as encouragement to design centers that connect language instruction to region-specific curricula, research activity, and workforce-relevant preparation connected to those parts of the world.
Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education. The competition allows applicants to propose a center under one of two models: a comprehensive center or an undergraduate center. While the listing does not spell out the distinctions in detail, the structure signals that ED is open to both broad, institution-wide (or multi-institution) centers and models that are primarily anchored in undergraduate training and programming.
Administratively, applicants must follow the Department of Education "2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs," published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234). This means the application package, formatting, required federal forms, submission procedures, and standard narrative expectations will be governed by those common instructions in addition to any program-specific requirements in the full notice.
Key opportunity details included in the posting are: Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 060526 001; agency is the U.S. Department of Education; the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses the grant funding instrument; the activity category is education; the original application closing date is July 7, 2026; and ED anticipates making around 50 awards. The award ceiling is not listed in the provided source text, so applicants would need to consult the full notice or Grants.gov posting for the maximum award amount and any match or cost-sharing expectations, if applicable.Apply for ED GRANTS 060526 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Centers Aligned with Areas for National Need (CAANN) Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.015C" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.015.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
CAANN (Assistance Listing 84.015C) - FAQ
What is the CAANN program?
The Centers Aligned with Areas for National Need (CAANN) program (Assistance Listing Number 84.015C) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), run in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. It supports projects that strengthen U.S. capacity in international and foreign language education tied to national needs.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to strengthen U.S. capacity in international and foreign language education in ways that support national security and long-term economic interests. ED is seeking proposals that build or expand campus-based centers focused on languages and regional expertise that the federal government considers strategically important.
What types of projects is ED looking to fund under CAANN?
Funded projects are expected to build or expand campus-based centers that deliver instruction in critical languages and pair that language study with deeper academic and practical understanding of the world regions where those languages are used. The program also emphasizes broader international and regional knowledge, research and training in international studies, and integrating international and foreign-language perspectives into professional and other academic fields.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education.
Can multiple institutions apply together?
Yes. The opportunity allows applications from consortia of institutions of higher education, which indicates multi-institution collaborations are eligible.
What center models can applicants propose?
Applicants may propose a center under one of two models: a comprehensive center or an undergraduate center. The provided description does not spell out the distinctions in detail, but it signals ED is open to both broad centers and models primarily anchored in undergraduate training and programming.
Does CAANN focus only on language instruction?
No. While critical language instruction is central, CAANN also emphasizes building deeper knowledge about regions and countries, supporting research and training in international studies, and integrating international and foreign-language perspectives into professional and other academic fields.
What are examples of languages that may fit the CAANN priority?
The notice highlights many examples of languages that may fit this priority, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Czech, Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, Hindi, Urdu, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Farsi, Bahasa, Thai, and other languages tied to U.S. strategic priorities.
Are applicants limited to only the languages listed in the notice?
No. The examples are presented as languages that may fit the priority, and the notice also references "other languages tied to U.S. strategic priorities." Applicants should align language choices with the program's national-need focus.
Which world regions are emphasized in the opportunity?
The description specifically calls out Latin America, Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia as regions of interest, and encourages applicants to connect language instruction to region-specific curricula, research activity, and workforce-relevant preparation tied to those parts of the world.
How does CAANN relate to national security and the economy?
A central theme is advancing U.S. national security interests through education and training focused on critical regions. The overall program purpose also includes strengthening capacity that supports long-term U.S. economic interests by developing graduates and research capacity with language skills and regional expertise.
What kinds of outcomes does the program appear to be aiming for?
Based on the description, CAANN is aimed at producing graduates and research capacity that can contribute to government, business, education, and other sectors where language skills and regional expertise matter.
Which federal agencies are involved in administering or coordinating the program?
The grant is from the U.S. Department of Education and is run in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?
The Funding Opportunity Number is ED GRANTS 060526 001.
What is the Assistance Listing Number?
The Assistance Listing Number is 84.015C.
What type of funding mechanism is this?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity and uses the grant funding instrument.
What is the activity category for this grant?
The activity category is education.
When is the application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is July 7, 2026.
How many awards does ED expect to make?
ED anticipates making around 50 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is not listed in the provided information. Applicants would need to consult the full notice or the Grants.gov posting to find the maximum award amount.
Are matching funds or cost sharing required?
The provided information does not specify match or cost-sharing requirements. Applicants would need to consult the full notice or the Grants.gov posting for any match or cost-sharing expectations, if applicable.
What application instructions govern this opportunity?
Applicants must follow the Department of Education "2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs," published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234), in addition to any program-specific requirements in the full notice.
What do the ED "Common Instructions" typically affect in an application?
Per the opportunity description, the common instructions govern the application package, formatting, required federal forms, submission procedures, and standard narrative expectations, alongside any program-specific requirements in the full notice.
Where should applicants look for details not included in the summary?
For items not listed in the provided information (such as the award ceiling or any match requirements), applicants should consult the full notice and/or the Grants.gov posting for this opportunity.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: FY25-FY26 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Previous opportunity: Estimated Fiscal Year 2026 Adult Education and Family Literacy Act State Award Amounts
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ED GRANTS 060526 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED GRANTS 060526 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY STATE GRANTS Apply for MSHA 2026 1 Funding Number: MSHA 2026 1 Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair Apply for S DR860 26 NOFO 0003 Funding Number: S DR860 26 NOFO 0003 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange (MECE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.021C Apply for ED GRANTS 061526 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 061526 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| OSERS-OSEP: National Center on Academic Interventions Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.326Q Apply for ED GRANTS 061526 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 061526 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $3,700,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bridgetown: EducationUSA Eastern Caribbean Regional Advising Program Apply for OFOP0002992 Funding Number: OFOP0002992 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Education Funding Amount: $24,500 |
| EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program 2026 Apply for PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Funding Number: PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Education Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021A Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021A Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security National Training Program National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Apply for DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $74,784,506 |
| National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Apply for DHS 26 NPD 148 00 97 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 148 00 97 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $7,600,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security National Training Program Apply for DHS 26 NPD 005 00 96 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 005 00 96 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $5,700,000 |
| Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE) Apply for DHS 26 NPD 146 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 146 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,900,000 |
| Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Apply for FOA BS 2026 1 Funding Number: FOA BS 2026 1 Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Voices for the Future Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY26 06 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY26 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| AI Pathways To The Future Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY26 07 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY26 07 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Education Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Empowering English Educators Apply for PDS CAIRO 003 FY26 Funding Number: PDS CAIRO 003 FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Egypt Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| English Language Fellows Program Apply for PDS CAIRO 002 FY26 Funding Number: PDS CAIRO 002 FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Egypt Category: Education Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| Mentor Program for English Educators Apply for PDS CAIRO 004 FY26 Funding Number: PDS CAIRO 004 FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Egypt Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Public Diplomacy Small Grants Competition Apply for 26 MMR NOFO 001 Funding Number: 26 MMR NOFO 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| English Language Teaching Services Program Apply for PAS DJI FY2026 ELT Funding Number: PAS DJI FY2026 ELT Agency: U.S. Mission to Djibouti Category: Education Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| English Language Exchange Programs: AI and Educational Technology Integration Apply for OFOP0003244 Funding Number: OFOP0003244 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Philippines Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ED GRANTS 060526 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.