The Forum on Education Abroad
The Forum on Education Abroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association recognized by the U.S. DOJ and FTC as the Standards Development Organization for Education Abroad, serving U.S. and international higher education institutions, providers, and related organizations through membership, certification, conferences, and consulting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersWarren, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Forum on Education Abroad does
The Forum on Education Abroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association and the recognized Standards Development Organization (SDO) for Education Abroad, designated by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. It serves U.S. and international higher education institutions, education abroad providers, charitable foundations, community colleges, and reciprocal associations through a multi-tier institutional membership structure. The organization is operationally hosted by Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which provides strategic and administrative infrastructure.
The Forum's core product portfolio includes the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad, the Professional Certification in Education Abroad program, the peer-reviewed Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, the Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) for institutional assessment, the Standards in Action book series, and a calendar of conferences (Annual, EMEA, and CIGL) and institutes alongside online courses, webinars, and podcasts. Technology infrastructure is a member portal (Atlas), event registration, and survey software — standard association tooling without proprietary AI or platform IP.
Revenue is generated across diversified streams: recurring annual institutional membership dues on a July–June cycle, event registration fees, Professional Certification enrollment, QUIP consulting engagements, publications sales, and tax-deductible donations supporting fellowships, grants, and the open-access journal. Go-to-market is event-driven and community-centric rather than product-led or sales-led, and member-segment differentiation spans seven explicit categories, reflecting deliberate horizontal coverage of the education abroad field.
The Forum on Education Abroad firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Forum on Education Abroad
- Legal name
- The Forum on Education Abroad
- Website
- https://forumea.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Forum on Education Abroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association recognized by the U.S. DOJ and FTC as the Standards Development Organization for Education Abroad, serving U.S. and international higher education institutions, providers, and related organizations through membership, certification, conferences, and consulting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Forum on Education Abroad industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Abroad Professional Association
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International/Transnational Education Authorities (e.g., cross-border recognition) (EDADAAAJ)
Keywords
Where The Forum on Education Abroad is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Warren
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Forum on Education Abroad business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Institutional Membership Dues: The Forum operates on an institutional membership model where all staff, administrators, and faculty at member institutions can access benefits through individual member portal accounts. Membership year runs from July 1 to June 30, with proration for new members joining partway through the year.
- Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from conference registrations including the Annual Conference, EMEA Conference, Careers Internships and Global Learning Conference, as well as Institutes (European Institute, Health and Safety Institute), Regional Seminars, and workshops. Events are held in-person, virtually, and in hybrid formats.
- Professional Certification Program: Revenue from the Professional Certification in Education Abroad Program, including the Accelerated Residency and Beyond Polarization Residency, as well as competency credentials and related professional development offerings.
- Publications and Resources: Sales of scholarly publications including the Standards in Action Book Series, the Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad (open-access journal published by The Forum), and other educational resources and toolkits.
- Consulting Services: Fee-for-service consulting engagements covering health, safety and well-being, leveraging the Standards of Good Practice, strategy, and supporting teaching and learning abroad. Also includes customized workshops.
- Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations supporting Forum Fellowships, Membership Pathways Grants, Sustainability Initiatives, Conference Attendance Grants, and Frontiers journal open-access mission. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Institutional membership with proration for new members |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Certification Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels11 records
The Forum on Education Abroad product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Forum on Education Abroad is a nonprofit membership association that develops and disseminates the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad and delivers a portfolio of professional certification, conferences, institutes, peer-reviewed research and publications, consulting, and toolkits to institutions and professionals working in the field of education abroad. Its membership model gives all staff and faculty at member institutions access to benefits through individual portal accounts, supported by events, the Frontiers journal, the QUIP quality improvement program, and the Atlas member portal.
Product overview
The Forum on Education Abroad is a professional association (501(c)(3) nonprofit) that serves as the Standards Development Organization for Education Abroad, recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model centered on its Standards of Good Practice, which serves as the foundational reference for quality assurance in education abroad. The core offerings include the Professional Certification in Education Abroad program with competency credentials and residencies, the peer-reviewed Frontiers journal (the only open-access scholarly journal in the field), and Forum Fellowships supporting professionals from minority-serving institutions. The organization delivers value through in-person, virtual, and hybrid events including the Annual Conference, EMEA Conference, Careers/Internships/Global Learning Conference, and specialized Institutes (European Institute, Health and Safety Institute). Additional services include consulting (health/safety, strategy, standards implementation), toolkits (EDI, Foundations, Short-Term Programs), the Atlas member portal, the Quality Improvement Program (QUIP), and the Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst research campaign. The Forum is hosted by Dickinson College and maintains an institutional membership model serving U.S. institutions, non-U.S. institutions, education abroad providers, and affiliates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad
Quantifiable outcome
- Students who studied abroad earned an average of $4,159 more in their first job—a 6.3% salary boost
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Forum on Education Abroad
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Forum on Education Abroad technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Forum on Education Abroad partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Dickinson CollegecoreDickinson College serves as the strategic partner hosting The Forum on Education Abroad. The Forum's administrative operations are based at Dickinson College, with data stored on Dickinson College Technology Services infrastructure under contractual agreement. The organization is c/o Dickinson College at P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Forum on Education Abroad competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators: NAFSA is the largest U.S.-based membership association for international educators, with a comparable nonprofit model, institutional membership, annual conference, professional development, and policy/advocacy function. It is the most directly comparable peer to The Forum on Education Abroad, though with a broader internationalization remit.
- Institute of International Education (IIE): IIE is a nonprofit that runs international exchange programs, administers the Fulbright Program, and publishes the Open Doors report — the field's primary data source. It shares The Forum's mission of advancing international education and producing standards-aligned research.
Others
- API (Academic Programs International): API is a U.S.-based study abroad provider offering programs in multiple countries. It sits in the same provider community The Forum's membership serves and is comparable as a member-type organization within the Forum's constituency.
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad provider with global programming, faculty development, and research. It overlaps with The Forum on Education Abroad in the program provider and policy/standards domains and is a member of the broader education-abroad ecosystem the Forum serves.
- IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a major study abroad program provider operating centers in multiple countries. The Forum's current CEO Melissa Torres previously served as VP for Academic Programs at IES Abroad, making it the closest provider-side peer and a natural partner or pipeline for Forum membership.
- NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education): NASPA is a membership association for student affairs professionals in higher education, offering conferences, credentialing, and resources. The Forum's Director of Professional Learning previously served at NASPA, and the two organizations share a higher-education professional association model.
- American Council on Education (ACE): ACE is the major U.S. higher-education umbrella association representing presidents and senior leaders. While broader than The Forum, it shares the nonprofit membership-association model, advocacy function, and convening role across U.S. higher education.
- AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers): AACRAO is a higher-education membership association that provides standards, professional development, and credentialing for registrars and admissions officers. Its membership-association, standards-setting model parallels The Forum's structure within an adjacent segment of higher education.
- AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study): AIFS is a study abroad and cultural exchange provider with a long-standing Foundation arm. It is a relevant peer as a provider organization within the education-abroad ecosystem The Forum serves, with a special collection housed with The Forum.
- CEA Study Abroad (Cultural Experiences Abroad): CEA is a study abroad provider offering programs across multiple destinations. It is a comparable provider-type peer within The Forum's Education Abroad Providers membership category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Forum on Education Abroad social profiles
Digital presenceThe Forum on Education Abroad financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Forum on Education Abroad leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
The Forum on Education Abroad funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Forum on Education Abroad M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Forum on Education Abroad
What does The Forum on Education Abroad do?
The Forum on Education Abroad is a nonprofit membership association that develops and disseminates the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad and delivers a portfolio of professional certification, conferences, institutes, peer-reviewed research and publications, consulting, and toolkits to institutions and professionals working in the field of education abroad. Its membership model gives all staff and faculty at member institutions access to benefits through individual portal accounts, supported by events, the Frontiers journal, the QUIP quality improvement program, and the Atlas member portal.
Is The Forum on Education Abroad a public or private company?
The Forum on Education Abroad is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Forum on Education Abroad founded?
The Forum on Education Abroad was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Forum on Education Abroad based?
The Forum on Education Abroad is headquartered in Warren, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Forum on Education Abroad make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Institutional Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are event Registration Fees, professional Certification Program, publications and Resources, consulting Services and donations and Grants.
Who are The Forum on Education Abroad's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Institute of International Education (IIE). Others are API (Academic Programs International), CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), IES Abroad, NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), American Council on Education (ACE), AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers), AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study) and CEA Study Abroad (Cultural Experiences Abroad).
Does The Forum on Education Abroad have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Forum on Education Abroad.
What industry is The Forum on Education Abroad in?
The Forum on Education Abroad's product category is Education Abroad Professional Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAAAK, Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations, with a secondary code of EDADAAAJ, International/Transnational Education Authorities (e.g., cross-border recognition). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.