Community Solutions Program 2027 in the USA | Fully Funded
Overview
The Community Solutions Program 2027 is an international exchange program hosted in the United States by the International Research & Exchanges Board and funded by the U.S. Department of State. This fully funded initiative is designed for community leaders to enhance their management and leadership skills through professional training, mentorship, and practical experience with U.S. organizations. The program spans approximately three to four months in the United States, featuring a 12-week professional practicum, which is followed by a nine-month SCALE-Up Project conducted in the fellow's home country. There is no application fee.
Who can apply
Applicants must be citizens of eligible countries across Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, or the Western Hemisphere. Candidates must be between 27 and 39 years of age and currently living and working in their home countries, with preference given to applicants with refugee status who work on behalf of their home community. Participants must have a minimum of two years of experience in community development as full-time or part-time employees or volunteers. Individuals cannot be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, applicants for U.S. citizenship, current students, active participants in a U.S. research project, current employees of IREX, or immediate family members of IREX employees. Applicants must also possess English proficiency and commit to returning to their home countries for at least two years after the program concludes.
What you get
Participants receive comprehensive financial and logistical support during the fellowship. This includes J-1 visa support and round-trip travel costs from the participant's home city to the United States. Fellows are provided with a monthly allowance to cover housing, meals, and other living expenses, as well as accident and sickness insurance coverage.
How to apply
Candidates must submit their applications online through the official IREX online application system using the same email address throughout the entire process. Mailed, faxed, or emailed submissions are not accepted. All answers, except for original names and locations written in the English alphabet, must be in English. Applicants must complete the forms themselves, ensuring that answers reflect personal experiences without the use of artificial intelligence. Mandatory questions marked with a red asterisk must be answered, or designated with not applicable if they do not apply.
Key dates
The application deadline is November 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.