The University of Northern Iowa along with two Iowa community colleges have formed a business and agriculture partnership with two universities in Brazil.

Together the five schools announced Tuesday that they would form an Iowa-Midwest Brazil Exchange in Business and Agriculture Program. The community colleges include Kirkwood Community College and Hawkeye Community College.

The program has received a nearly $230,000 grant from the U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program.

Officials say the program will focus on curriculum, student and faculty exchanges and technology-based distance learning, among other efforts. Iowa students will have the opportunity to study in Brazil for one semester.