Community Solutions Program 2027: Fully Funded U.S. Exchange (IREX)

Application Deadline: November 24, 2026.

Applications are open for the 2027 Community Solutions Program (CSP), a fully funded leadership exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and run by IREX. The application deadline is 24 November 2026.

The program brings experienced community leaders to the United States for a three- to four-month exchange. You spend 12 weeks working with a host organisation, then go home to run a nine-month project in your own community. Travel, living costs, visa support and health insurance are covered.

About the Program

CSP is a professional development and exchange program for leaders who work on locally driven economic growth. It aims to make communities more prosperous by strengthening both leadership and practical skills.

The experience has three parts:

1. The U.S. exchange. A 12-week hands-on practicum with a U.S. host organisation, plus regional field visits to see how businesses, schools, local governments, chambers of commerce and community groups work together.
2. Innovation and Applied Skills Labs. Practical sessions on adapting economic development models, supporting business growth and using new technology to open opportunities for workers.
3. The SCALE-Up Project. After you return home, you spend nine months adapting at least one model or tool from your U.S. experience to a real challenge in your community.

What the Program Covers

• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip international travel from your home city
• A monthly allowance for accommodation, meals and living costs
• Accident and sickness health insurance
• Accessibility accommodations where needed
• Hands-on training, field visits and networking with U.S. professionals
• Support for your nine-month home project

Who Can Apply

You must:

• Be between 27 and 39 years old when you apply
• Be a citizen of an eligible country, and live and work there when you apply (not abroad on a study, training or research program)
• Have at least five years of professional experience on community issues, with measurable results
• Speak and write English well
• Be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa
• Not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and not have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years
• Be available for the 2027 exchange
• Commit to staying in your home country for at least two years after the program to carry out your project

If you took part in a U.S. Government exchange before, you must have completed any two-year home residency requirement. The State Department sets the rules, and exceptions cannot be made.

Eligible African Countries

Sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda and Uganda.
North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

The full list also covers countries in East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South and Central Asia and the Western Hemisphere. Check the official page for the current list.

How to Apply and Key Dates

Apply online through the official IREX portal. Read the application instructions carefully first, so you can confirm that you meet every rule.

Key dates:

• November 24, 2026: Application deadline
• August 2 to 5, 2027: Orientation
• August 9 to October 29, 2027: Professional practicum
• November 1 to 4, 2027: End-of-program workshop

The program dates are subject to confirmation.

Tips for a Strong Application

1. Check your country and age first. These two rules decide eligibility, and no exceptions are made.
2. Count your experience. You need five years of community work, so list roles, dates and results clearly.
3. Use numbers. People helped, jobs created, funds raised and partnerships built make your impact easy to see.
4. Focus on economic growth. The program looks for work on local jobs, businesses and opportunity.
5. Think about your SCALE-Up Project. Have a rough idea of the problem you would tackle at home.
6. Prepare for English assessment. Strong written and spoken English is required.
7. Don’t wait for the last week. Online forms take longer than you expect.

Conclusion

The Community Solutions Program is a rare chance to learn from U.S. practitioners and then apply what you learn in your own community. If you’re from an eligible country and have five years of real community work behind you, it’s worth a careful application.

For more information and to apply,, CLICK HERE