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For about a 1% investment of the Federal budget, the State Department yields a large return for the American people by advancing U.S. national security, promoting our economic interests, providing services, and reaffirming our country’s exceptional role in the world. Read on to learn how the work of the Department benefits this state’s residents.

Arkansas

• Jobs and Diplomacy

  • In partnership with agencies across the federal government, the Department of State advances U.S. trade policy objectives by opening new export and job opportunities for American businesses and workers through trade initiatives. In Arkansas, approximately 50,000 U.S. jobs were supported by goods exports (2014) and foreign direct investment supported about 43,000 U.S. jobs (2013). This resulted in $5.9 billion in goods exports from Arkansas (2015). (EB) More»

  • Arkansas hosted foreign physicians, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs and others as part of work and study-based international exchange visitor programs. (ECA) More»

  • The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) contributed more than $49,000 to Arkansas’s economy through contracts and federal grants that directly supported INL missions. (INL) More»

  • Three partnership plans were created in Arkansas under the Small Business Network of the Americas International Sister Center Program with Brazil, Canada, and Jamaica. (WHA) More»

  • Click here for more information about Department career recruitment events in Arkansas. (HR)

• Education

  • Fulbright Scholarship Awards: 10 Scholars and Students from Arkansas (ECA) More»

  • Diplomat-in-Residence (Kali Jones): Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice to students, professionals and the community about Department careers. (HR) More»

  • 111 exchange visitors from overseas visited Arkansas and 198 Arkansas residents travelled overseas as part of the Department’s educational and cultural exchange funded programs. (ECA) More»

  • 73 Brazilian students attended Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville through the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. This program is funded by the Brazilian government and the private sector and sends 101,000 Brazilian university students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to study and conduct research abroad. The U.S. is a priority destination for scholarship recipients, and the program strengthens U.S. and Brazilian institutional partnerships, develops a workforce prepared for 21st century opportunities, and contributes to long-term economic growth for both countries. (WHA) More»

• Partnerships

  • Arkansas hosted one student from an allied and friendly nation for International Military Education and Training. (PM) More»

  • A grant awarded to Little Rock-based Winrock International focuses on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries through training and educational outreach by producing a number of analytic papers on key REDD+ topics and facilitating workshops. (OES)

  • Refugee Arrivals in 2015: 11. The Department works with nine domestic nongovernmental organizations, which place refugees in over 300 affiliated offices in roughly 180 communities around the country. These local offices work closely with community partners, congregations, volunteers, and state and local officials to provide a successful start for refugees rebuilding their lives. Refugee communities have historically enhanced the economic dynamism and cultural vitality of our nation. Refugees contribute to the United States in numerous ways, including by starting businesses and joining the U.S. military. (PRM) More»

  • The Department of State facilitates the Arkansas National Guard State Partnership Program founded in 2002 with Guatemala (PM) More»

  • Learn more about the trip of foreign Ambassadors to Arkansas as part of the Department’s “Experience America” partnership program. (S/CPR) More»

• Travel and Security

  • Total Passports Issued in Fiscal Year 2015: 63,606 (CA) More»

  • Passport Application Acceptance Facilities: 66. (CA) More»

  • The Arkansas Passport Center employees 12 government and 182 contract staff. (CA) More»

  • Number of overseas adoptions for Arkansas families in Fiscal Year 2014: 49. The Office of Children's Issues plays an active role in the intercountry adoption process. Its work is dedicated to assisting parents as they seek to provide a home to orphans abroad. (CA) More»

  • Diplomatic Security Miami Field Office serves Arkansas: Diplomatic Security has offices throughout the United States staffed with special agents and contract investigators, who conduct criminal, counterterrorism and background investigations. Agents assigned to field and resident offices assist in providing support to the protection of the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Additionally, they liaison with federal and local law enforcement, foreign mission personnel, local officials, and the private sector complements their major responsibilities. More»