FEATURES: Future Federal Funding for International Studies
By Judith Byfield
FY 2011 proved to be a dismal economic year for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs. Title VI funds distributed through the Department of Education support African Studies centers designated as National Resource Centers (NRCs). National Resource centers provide a wealth of academic programs on Africa as well as language training and outreach to K-12 teachers and schools, while the Fulbright/Hays program supports students conducting field work in Africa. In the last grant cycle FY 2010 – 2013, the number of successful African Studies centers increased to twelve: Boston University; Harvard University, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Ohio University, UC-Berkeley, University of Flora, University of Kansas, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Yale University. The joy from this successful competition dissipated in fiscal year (FY) 2011 when funds were cut by approximately forty percent. The reduction of federal funds compounded an already poor economic climate for each university was in its own distinctive process of belt-tightening exercises.
The picture for FY 2013 offers the slightest glimmer of improvement as the 2013 budget requests a small increase for Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs. This increase of $1.7 million represents a 2.3% increase over the FY 2012 funding level ($74.037 M). This increase will not restore funds to continuation grants, such as the NRCs, or to other programs eliminated, and it is still very far from FY 2010 funding levels when the programs received $123.936 M. An attempt to provide a small increase cannot be dismissed in our current economic climate, although it is unclear if the funds will actually be dispersed in the near future. Close observers of Washington suggest it is highly unlikely that the budget will be approved before the November elections. Furthermore, since the Super Committee failed to identify where $1.2 trillion could be cut from the budget, it may still trigger automatic cuts.
Though gloomy, the circumstances require that we support efforts to protect the gains we have made in integrating international education generally and African Studies specifically into the nation’s universities and colleges. Intellectually and pedagogically we cannot afford to withdraw from international education. There are a number of organizations representing international educators and African Studies in the halls of Congress. The ASA is an active member of the Coalition for International Education. We will use the newsletter to periodically update the ASA membership on the discussions about Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs. We will also alert you to letter-writing campaigns to members of the Senate and Congress. Hopefully our combined voices will help to restore and even surpass previous levels of funding to international education and African Studies specifically.
Judith Byfield is Past President and Associate Professor of History at Cornell University. She is the ASA Board’s representative to the Coalition for International Education.