FAMU Selected for the IIE American Passport Project Grant
Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport grant that will enable up to 25 students to obtain their first U.S. passport and open the pathway to study abroad. In its sixth year, IIE has awarded 40 institutions in its membership network to help 1,000 Pell-eligible college students through this opportunity. This is the second time FAMU has received the distinction of being an IIE American Passport Project Institution.
At FAMU, the initiative aligns with the University’s commitment to expanding access to global learning experiences and preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. More than 200 FAMU students studied abroad last year through partnerships and programs spanning more than 45 countries. As a public land-grant HBCU where approximately 58% of students are Pell-eligible, FAMU continues to prioritize initiatives that reduce financial barriers and expand access to high-impact educational opportunities, including international education experiences.
Provost Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D.
“Global learning opportunities should not be determined by financial access,” said Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This initiative helps remove one of the first barriers students may encounter when considering study abroad or other international experiences. At Florida A&M University, we remain committed to ensuring our students have access to the educational, cultural, and professional experiences that prepare them to compete and lead globally.”
The grant will be administered through FAMU’s Office of International Education and Development, which oversees education abroad programming, international partnerships, and student support services related to global engagement. Eligible students will receive support for passport application fees and guidance as they begin exploring international study, research, internship, and service-learning opportunities.
“Obtaining a passport may seem simple, but for many students and families, the cost can create a significant hurdle,” said William Hyndman, Ph.D., director of the Office of International Education and Development. “This support helps students move from interest to action and opens the door to experiences that can broaden perspectives, strengthen career readiness, and enhance academic success.”
FAMU student Mariah Campbell stands in Segovia, Spain, in front of an aqueduct that
was used to transport water to the city until 1973. (Photo special to FAMU)
Mariah Campbell, a third-year honors student from Jacksonville, Fla., is studying pre-occupational therapy and health sciences at the FAMU School of Allied Health Sciences. She received the IIE American Passport Project grant in 2024 to study abroad in Salamanca, Spain. Campbell said the opportunity helped turn what once felt unattainable into a reality.
“Receiving the American Passport Project grant helped make study abroad feel possible for me as a first-generation college student,” said Campbell. “Before receiving the grant, obtaining a passport felt like one of the biggest barriers between me and my goal of traveling abroad. The experience changed my perspective and expanded my understanding of different cultures and languages.”
The American Passport Project is a key program under the IIE Center for International Opportunities that promotes international education exchange so that all students can gain the
academic and career benefits of international experiences. To date, the program has
issued more than 260 grants to higher education institutions in 42 states and the
District of Columbia, with a goal of issuing passports to 10,000 U.S. students by
2030.
IIE selected this year’s institutional cohort based in part on demonstrated efforts to prioritize student populations from low-income backgrounds, students who have not traveled abroad as an adult or in a learning environment, and students in their first year at the institution.
FAMU students interested in learning more about study abroad and international opportunities at FAMU can visit FAMU Education Abroad or call (850) 599-3295. To apply for one of the 25 grants awarded to FAMU for fall 2026, click here.
About IIE
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a global leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. IIE works with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers worldwide to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to address increasingly complex global challenges. Founded in 1919, IIE is a not-for-profit organization with a network of offices and affiliates worldwide and more than 1,600 higher education partners.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Deidre Williams
Director of Communications, Academic Affairs
deidre.williams@famu.edu
