The IREX international fellowship program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and is funded by the U.S. Government. Through this fully-funded fellowship in the USA, the fellows become part of the Community Leadership Institute. The institute brings the best cut of the participants and provides them with a specialized curriculum and individualized coaching from there, the fellows at CSP enhance their management as well as their leadership skills through face-to-face and in-person training, virtual courses, professional guidance, and from the network of alumni.
The U.S. Community Solutions Program is based on initiatives that could help the communities to lift themselves up. CSP fellowship ensures that the fellows return home with the capabilities to proceed with a community action program. This year the Community Solutions Program is celebrating a decade of global impact. The help of effective and dynamic leaders from CSP has made this day possible. In fact, since the inception of this top fully paid fellowship, the CSP has produced 748 fellows from 83 countries who have impacted more than 600,000 people from their community development initiatives.
Details About Community Solutions Program 2025 in the USA
- Host Country: United States
- Funded by: U.S. Department of State & IREX
- Duration: One Year (Four Months in USA)
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 13th November 2024
Financial Benefits
The Community Solutions Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.
It Covers:
- J-1 Visa Support
- Round-trip travel from participants’ home city to the U.S.
- Monthly Allowance to cover
- Housing
- Meals
- Other living expenses while in the U.S.
- Accident and sickness health coverage
- Accessibility accommodations include ADA-accessible rooms for in-person training, software such as JAWS, and community assistance and community training.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Community Solutions Program, applicants must:
- Be between 26 and 39 years old by November 13, 2024
- Be citizens of one of the eligible countries listed below
- Live and work in their home country (special consideration for those with refugee status)
- Have a minimum of two years of experience in community development
- Have a high level of English proficiency (semifinalists will need to pass or provide TOEFL/IELTS test scores)
- Be available to travel to the U.S. from August to December 2025
- Commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the program
- Be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa
Please note: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency within the last three years are not eligible. Participants who have previously taken part in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange must meet the two-year home residency requirement.
Eligible Countries
CSP is open to applicants from a wide range of countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, including:
- Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Uganda, Zambia, and more
- East Asia & Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more
- Europe: Albania, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and more
- Middle East & North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and more
- South & Central Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and more
- Western Hemisphere: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, and more
For a full list of eligible countries, please refer to the detailed eligibility guidelines in the application resources.
How to Apply for the IREX Community Solutions Program 2025:
- The candidates have to apply online through the IREX online application system.
- Use the same email address throughout the entire CSP application and selection process.
- All applications must be submitted online; any applications sent by mail, fax, or email to IREX will not be accepted.
- Questions marked with a red asterisk are mandatory. If a required question doesn’t apply to you, write “N/A” (not applicable).
- Keep the original spelling of names and locations in the English alphabet without translating them.
- Apart from names and locations, all answers must be written in English. Applications not in English will be disqualified.
- The applicant must complete the application themselves.
- Submit your application by Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to be considered.
- Applications should reflect your personal experiences. The use of AI-generated content will lead to automatic disqualification.
