← All positions

Community Solutions Program 2027 in USA (Fully Funded)

The Community Solutions Program 2027 is a premier, fully funded international fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). Designed for emerging global community leaders, this intensive program delivers comprehensive professional training, leadership development, and hands-on operational experience within top-tier U.S.-based institutions and organizations.

Program Overview

Below is a quick snapshot of the key details regarding the Community Solutions Program 2027 in the United States:

Feature	Details
Host Country	United States of America
Host Organization	International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX)
Funding Body	U.S. Department of State
Program Duration	3 to 4 Months in the USA + 9-Month Follow-up Project
Financial Coverage	Fully Funded (Airfare, Stipend, Housing, Visa, Insurance)
Application Deadline	November 24, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

Scholarship Designation

Selected candidates are awarded the professional title of Community Solutions Program Fellow. As a fellow, participants serve as international ambassadors of community development, working directly alongside U.S. hosts, civic leaders, and field experts to build sustainable leadership solutions.

Scholarship Description & Benefits

The Community Solutions Program is a total immersion fellowship that empowers grassroots leaders to tackle complex public challenges. Fellows spend 12 weeks engaged in a high-impact professional placement at a U.S. community host organization. Throughout their time in the United States, participants attend leadership seminars via the Community Leadership Institute and craft actionable strategies to implement upon returning home.

The fellowship is fully funded by the U.S. Government and covers all core expenses related to program participation:

Travel: Full coverage of round-trip international airfare between the home country and the United States.
Visa Assistance: Dedicated administrative support for securing J-1 exchange visitor visa status.
Living Expenses: Monthly financial allowance covering accommodation, meals, and local transport.
Health Coverage: Comprehensive accident and sickness insurance for the entire duration of the U.S. program.
Professional Placement: Tailored placement with an established U.S. community host organization.
Mentorship: Direct entry into global leadership networks and direct pairing with industry mentors.
Post-Exchange Funding: Eligibility to apply for seed funding through the 9-month home country SCALE-Up Project.

Focus Areas and Research Disciplines

The fellowship encourages application across critical socio-economic and public management fields. Key leadership focus areas include:

Community Development & Civic Engagement: Strengthening grassroots organizations and public participation.
Environmental Sustainability: Climate adaptation, conservation initiatives, and renewable energy strategies.
Peace & Conflict Resolution: Mediation strategies, conflict management, and social cohesion initiatives.
Transparency & Accountability: Open governance, anti-corruption frameworks, and civic oversight.
Economic Development & Social Inclusion: Sustainable entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and marginalized group advocacy.

Program Location

The initial phase takes place across various host cities and institutional host sites across the United States of America for approximately 3 to 4 months. Upon completion of the U.S.-based practical placement, fellows return to their home countries to execute a 9-month SCALE-Up community development project.

Eligibility and Qualification Criteria

Applicants must meet all the following qualification guidelines to be considered for selection:

Age Requirement: Candidates must be between 27 and 39 years old at the time of application submission.
Citizenship & Residency: Must be a citizen and current resident of an eligible participating country in Africa, East Asia & Pacific, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South & Central Asia, or the Western Hemisphere.
Professional Experience: Must possess a minimum of two years of full-time or volunteer experience in community development or related fields.
Language Proficiency: High level of proficiency in written and spoken English.
Travel Readiness: Available to travel to the United States for 3 to 4 months during the program cycle in 2027.
Return Commitment: Mandatory commitment to return to your home country for a minimum of two years following program completion.
Exclusions: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, current IREX employees, or individuals currently residing/studying in the U.S. are ineligible.

Required Documents

Interested candidates must prepare and submit the following materials within the official portal:

Completed online application form.
Copy of a valid national passport or government-issued photo identification.
Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume highlighting leadership experience.
Proof or detailed record of community development achievements and projects.
Personal statements and essay responses addressing civic impact goals.
English language proficiency test scores or verified demonstration (if requested).

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their applications through the centralized online registration portal managed by IREX. Follow these instructions to apply:

Visit the official portal at the IREX Community Solutions Program Page.
Create an account using a valid email address that you check regularly.
Review the complete eligibility instructions and guidelines.
Fill in all required biographical, educational, and professional experience fields accurately.
Upload all supporting documentation and essay responses.
Submit your completed application prior to the published closing deadline.

Last Date to Apply

The official deadline to submit your complete application for the Community Solutions Program 2027 is November 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.