IIE American Passport Project

About the IIE American Passport Project

Annually, IIE will make grants to U.S. colleges and universities in the IIENetwork  so they can help U.S. students obtain a U.S. passport.   

It has long been part of IIE’s mission to promote international education and exchange, so that all students can gain academic and career benefits from international experiences. The grant is intended to remove a common barrier that prevents students from even considering participating in study abroad. 

Through the American Passport Project, IIE aims to help 10,000 U.S. students to obtain their U.S. passport by the end of this decade and enable them to participate in study abroad. The program prioritizes students who are not participating in study abroad due to financial or other limitations and haven’t yet acquired a U.S. passport, as well as those who are in their first year at the institution so they may have ample time to receive their passport along with help from their advisors to map out a study abroad plan. 

To carry out the program, IIE will select various U.S.-based IIENetwork member institutions to receive a grant to support up to 25 Pell Grant eligible students from their campus. The awarded institutions will identify and assist students through the passport application process, as well as encourage and advise students to go abroad. 

The IIE American Passport Project’s sixth application cycle is now open until Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

Learn more about the program and how to apply by joining the information session on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 2:00pm ET

For program questions, contact IIEPassport@iie.org. For questions about the IIENetwork and membership status, contact membership@iie.org.

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