Educational Exchange

Cultural Exchange

The American Embassy seeks to promote the best of American culture in Iceland and to encourage educational and professional exchange among Icelanders and Americans. The U.S. government does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. The following programs are examples of the activities within the State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators. This site includes Fulbright Commissions and other related links. Be sure to visit the new Fulbright Online Art Gallery.

English Teaching Exchanges and Overseas Resources maintain offices worldwide assisting teachers and teacher trainers with workshops, seminars, and publications.

Requests for Grant Proposals announce the latest bureau funding opportunities for academic and non-profit institutions seeking exchanges and training grants. This site also includes a list of 2004-2005 grants awarded by the bureau.

The Leifur Eiriksson Foundation was founded for the purpose of providing recognition and financial assistance to further scholarly study and research through student exchanges between Iceland and the United States.

The Humphrey Fellowships bring mid-level professionals from developing countries to the United States for a year of academic study and professional experiences.

Overseas Educational Advising supports centers worldwide that provide prospective students and others with information and guidance on U.S. higher education.

Study of the United States promotes better understanding of the U.S. through Summer Institutes for foreign university faculty. This site also contains an extensive number of links to on-line American Studies resources.

The Institutional Linkages Programs support educational partnerships between U.S. and foreign post-secondary institutions through faculty and staff exchanges on themes of mutual interest.

The International Visitor  Leadership Program brings participants to the U.S. to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to experience firsthand the U.S. and its institutions.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges develops professional, cultural and youth programs with non-profit American institutions, including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities. Thematic categories for grants include civil society, NGO development, civic education, media development, judicial training, intellectual property rights, and public administration among other themes. 

International Cultural Property Protection represents U.S. responsibilities in protecting the cultural patrimony of other countries.

The Art in Embassies Program was created to promote American art and artists in the residences of U.S. Ambassadors.

The Diplomatic Reception Rooms in the State Department Main Building are where the Secretary of State, the Vice President, and Members of the Cabinet entertain the leaders of the world. They are furnished with museum-caliber American furnishings of the period 1750-1825. Check out the virtual tour of the rooms .