(a)(1) A group research or study project is designed to permit a group of faculty of an institution of higher education and graduate and undergraduate students to undertake research or study in a foreign country.

(2) The period of research or study in a foreign country is generally from three to twelve months.

(b) As a prerequisite to participating in a research or training project, participants—

(1) Must possess the requisite language proficiency to conduct the research or study, and disciplinary competence in their area of research; and

(2) In a project of a semester or longer, shall have completed, at a minimum, one semester of intensive language training and one course in area studies relevant to the projects.