Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§1161e American History for Freedom

Title 20 › CHAPTER 28 — HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES AND STUDENT ASSISTANCE › SUBCHAPTER IX — ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS › Part E — American History for Freedom › § 1161e

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Education may award competitive three-year grants to colleges and universities to create or strengthen college programs or centers that teach traditional American history, the nature of and threats to free institutions, or the history and achievements of Western civilization. Eligible institutions must apply and must describe how they will use the money, how they will share results widely, any partners who will take part, how the grant will add to (not replace) other funds, and how they will account for the money. The Secretary will favor schools that can reach more students, hire or use experts in these subjects, and keep the work going after the grant ends. Eligible institution: a college or university as defined in section 1001. Free institution: institutions that grew from Western ideas (for example, democracy, constitutional government, individual rights, market economics, religious freedom, and free thought). Traditional American history: major constitutional, political, intellectual, economic, and foreign policy trends, key events, and leading figures. Grant money must be used to build or strengthen programs and centers (courses, lectures, materials, research, faculty and fellowship support, and teacher training) and to do outreach to students, faculty, schools, and the local community. Grants may also fund partnerships with school districts, museums, libraries, and similar nonprofits. Funds were authorized for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §1161e

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Grants authorized

From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary is authorized to award three-year grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to establish or strengthen postsecondary academic programs or centers that promote and impart knowledge of— (1)

(2)the history and nature of, and threats to, free institutions; or

(3)the history and achievements of Western civilization.

(b)Definitions

In this section: (1) Eligible institution

(2)Free institution

The term “free institution” means an institution that emerged out of Western civilization, such as democracy, constitutional government, individual rights, market economics, religious freedom and religious tolerance, and freedom of thought and inquiry.

(3)Traditional American history

The term “traditional American history” means—

(A)the significant constitutional, political, intellectual, economic, and foreign policy trends and issues that have shaped the course of American history; and

(B)the key episodes, turning points, and leading figures involved in the constitutional, political, intellectual, diplomatic, and economic history of the United States.

(c)Application

(1)In general

Each eligible institution that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(2)Contents

Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include a description of— (A)

(B)how the eligible institution will ensure that information about the activities funded under this section is widely disseminated pursuant to subsection (e)(1)(B);

(C)any activities to be undertaken pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(A), including identification of entities intended to participate;

(D)how funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant non-Federal funds available for the activities described in subsection (e); and

(E)such fiscal controls and accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement of and accounting for funding made available to the eligible institution under this section.

(d)Award basis

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration the capability of the eligible institution to—

(1)increase access to quality programming that expands knowledge of traditional American history, free institutions, or Western civilization;

(2)involve personnel with strong expertise in traditional American history, free institutions, or Western civilization; and

(3)sustain the activities funded under this section after the grant has expired.

(e)Use of funds

(1)Required use of funds

Funds provided under this section shall be used to—

(A)establish or strengthen academic programs or centers focused on traditional American history, free institutions, or Western civilization, which may include—

(i)design and implementation of programs of study, courses, lecture series, seminars, and symposia;

(ii)development, publication, and dissemination of instructional materials;

(iii)research;

(iv)support for faculty teaching in undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate programs;

(v)support for graduate and postgraduate fellowships, if applicable; or

(vi)teacher preparation initiatives that stress content mastery regarding traditional American history, free institutions, or Western civilization; and

(B)conduct outreach activities to ensure that information about the activities funded under this section is widely disseminated—

(i)to undergraduate students (including students enrolled in teacher education programs, if applicable);

(ii)to graduate students (including students enrolled in teacher education programs, if applicable);

(iii)to faculty;

(iv)to local educational agencies; and

(v)within the local community.

(2)Allowable uses of funds

Funds provided under this section may be used to support—

(A)collaboration with entities such as—

(i)local educational agencies, for the purpose of providing elementary and secondary school teachers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of traditional American history, free institutions, or Western civilization; and

(ii)nonprofit organizations whose mission is consistent with the purpose of this section, such as academic organizations, museums, and libraries, for assistance in carrying out activities described under subsection (a); and

(B)other activities that meet the purposes of this section.

(f)Authorization of appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 1161e

Title 20, Education

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110