SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 14, 2026 – The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), a nonprofit that has run international exchange programs since 1947, is advancing several new initiatives aimed at widening access to study abroad and cultural exchange. The organization's latest moves include an $8 million multi-year investment to reshape how study abroad reaches students, a new scholarship designed to build bridges between the United States and global Muslim communities, and a $50,000 fellowship launching in Berlin. For students, educators, and anyone exploring international study or work options, these developments represent a meaningful expansion of what CIEE has on offer across its global network of destinations.
The $8M Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad
CIEE's Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad is the organization's most substantial recent financial commitment. The plan calls for a total of $8 million over four years, split evenly between CIEE ($4 million) and partner colleges and universities ($4 million). An update on the pledge was shared in March 2026, though a full breakdown of how the funds will be directed has not yet been published. The intent is to reshape how study abroad programs are structured and made accessible to a broader range of students.
New Scholarship and Berlin Fellowship
CIEE has announced the Rick A. Ruth BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Scholarship, a cultural exchange program aimed at building mutual understanding and peace between the United States and global Muslim communities. On the academic side, CIEE and Karen Collias, founder of Knowledge Without Borders, have formalized a $50,000 philanthropic agreement to establish the Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship in Berlin. The fellowship is designed to deepen international understanding of democracy and historical memory, adding a research-focused dimension to CIEE's existing portfolio of programs. Both initiatives expand the range of participants CIEE is actively trying to reach.
Youth Leadership and Community Recognition
CIEE recently hosted its 12th Ambassador Johnny and Angie Young Civic Leadership Summit in Salt Lake City, bringing together 30 emerging leaders to build skills focused on advancing peace through international exchange. The summit represents CIEE's investment in developing globally minded young people beyond classroom or travel programs. Separately, the CIEE BridgeUSA Celebration Tour reached its ninth stop in Park City, Utah, where local businesses, community members, and state supporters were recognized for their roles in hosting international exchange participants. CIEE has also become a supporting partner of America250, the nonpartisan national organization that Congress charged with leading celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Why It Matters
For anyone considering a study abroad or cultural exchange program, CIEE's new commitments directly affect access and opportunity in practical terms. The organization already distributes scholarships and grants—more than any other provider by its own account—and provides dedicated support throughout the exchange experience, including an emergency line (1-800-40-STUDY), on-the-ground navigation assistance, and coverage for unexpected medical expenses and lost luggage. Programs are open to participants ranging from high school students to lifelong learners, with destinations spanning Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Americas. The new $8 million pledge, additional scholarship, and Berlin fellowship each add concrete options for people weighing international study, work, or civic engagement opportunities in the year ahead.
CIEE's latest round of announcements reflects a sustained effort to make international exchange more accessible at a time when cross-cultural connection carries both personal and global significance.