AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Programme: Community Solutions Program (CSP) 2027
• Sponsor: U.S. Department of State
• Implementing organisation: IREX
• Location: United States
• Programme duration: Approximately 3–4 months
• Professional practicum: 12 weeks with a U.S. host organisation
• Age requirement: 27–39 years at the time of application
• Work experience: At least five years working on community issues
• Funding: Round-trip airfare, monthly living allowance, J-1 visa support and health coverage
• Application period: 2027 programme applications are open
• Programme dates: August–November 2027, subject to confirmation
• Application platform: IREX online application portal
• Important: Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country and live and work in that country.

About the Scholarship/Programme

The IREX Community Solutions Program 2027 is a professional leadership development and international exchange programme sponsored by the United States Department of State and implemented by IREX.

It is designed for experienced community leaders who are working to improve local and regional economic development and create measurable benefits for their communities.

The programme provides participants with practical leadership and technical skills, professional connections and exposure to approaches used by American organisations to address economic development challenges.

Selected participants undertake an approximately three- to four-month exchange in the United States, including a 12-week professional practicum with a U.S. organisation. During the placement, fellows work alongside American professionals and gain practical experience in areas relevant to their professional backgrounds.

The 2027 programme focuses on locally driven economic growth and community prosperity. Relevant areas include business and entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, hospitality and tourism, culinary industries and food systems, global trade and logistics, rural entrepreneurship, and workforce and local economic development.

Participants also take part in Innovation and Applied Skills Labs. These activities develop practical leadership, management and technical skills and explore how emerging technologies can support businesses, industries and communities.

After returning home, fellows implement a community-based SCALE-Up Project, applying relevant models, tools or partnerships from their U.S. experience to address an economic development challenge in their own communities.

Scholarship Benefits

The Community Solutions Program provides financial assistance covering most expenses associated with participation in the U.S. exchange.

According to IREX, the programme covers:

• J-1 visa support: Assistance with the visa process required for programme participation.
• Round-trip airfare: Travel from the participant’s home city to the United States and back.
• Monthly living allowance: Financial support for accommodation, meals and other living expenses during the U.S. exchange.
• Accident and sickness coverage: Health coverage during the programme.
• Accessibility accommodations: Support such as accessible accommodation, assistive software and community assistance or training where required.
• Professional practicum: A 12-week placement with a U.S. host organisation.
• Leadership development: Participation in practical training and Innovation and Applied Skills Labs.
• International networking: Opportunities to build professional relationships with American organisations and other international community leaders.

The programme also provides opportunities to learn from regional economic development models and cross-sector partnerships involving businesses, educational institutions, local government and community organisations.

Important: The financial support applies to programme-related participation in the United States. It should not be interpreted as a cash grant for personal or business use. Participants are expected to return home and implement their community-based SCALE-Up Projects.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility conditions established by IREX and the U.S. Department of State.

1. Age requirement

Applicants must be between 27 and 39 years old at the time of application.

2. Eligible nationality

Candidates must be citizens of a country included on the official 2027 eligible-country list.

For African applicants, the published list includes Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda and Uganda.

Nigeria is not included in the published eligible-country list. Nigerian citizens therefore cannot qualify through Nigerian nationality alone.

3. Community development experience

Applicants must have at least five years of experience working on community issues and demonstrate measurable benefits resulting from their work.

4. Country of residence and employment

Candidates must be living and working in their home country when applying. Applicants must not be residing or working outside their country through an academic, training or research programme.

5. English proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate a high level of spoken and written English. Semi-finalists without the required qualifying TOEFL score will be required to take an Institutional TOEFL or another English-language assessment approved by CSP.

6. U.S. visa eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa. Those who previously participated in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange must have fulfilled the applicable two-year home-residency requirement.

7. Commitment to return home

Selected participants must commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the programme and implementing a community-based SCALE-Up Project.

Applicants must also be able to participate throughout the 2027 exchange and must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or have applied for U.S. permanent residency within the preceding three years.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Read the official eligibility requirements.

Visit the IREX application information page and confirm that your age, nationality, residence and professional experience meet the programme conditions.

Step 2: Identify your community development experience.

Prepare a clear account of your work on community issues, including the communities served, your responsibilities and measurable results.

Step 3: Prepare your application information.

Review the official application instructions and prepare the information and supporting materials requested by the online application system.

Step 4: Register on the official portal.

Visit the IREX Community Solutions application system and create an applicant account.

Step 5: Complete the online application.

Provide accurate information about your professional background, community work, leadership experience and proposed contribution to local or regional economic development.

Step 6: Submit your application.

Review your responses and submit the completed application through the official online portal. IREX does not accept applications by email as a substitute for the online application.

Step 7: Participate in further selection stages.

Semi-finalists may be invited to complete additional assessments, including an English-language assessment where required. Continue monitoring the email address used during registration.

Step 8: Prepare for the exchange.

Successful participants will receive further instructions concerning the J-1 visa, travel, orientation and U.S. host-organisation placement.

Important Deadline

The 2027 Community Solutions Program application is currently open.

The official application information page directs applicants to download and review the detailed application instructions before submitting. The precise closing date and time should be confirmed in the current application materials and online portal.

The provisional 2027 programme schedule includes:

• Orientation: 2–5 August 2027.
• U.S. professional practicum: 9 August–29 October 2027.
• End-of-Programme Workshop: 1–4 November 2027.

These dates are subject to confirmation by IREX.

Official Application Link

Official IREX programme information and eligibility

Official online application portal

Applicants should download the current application instructions from IREX before beginning the application.

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The IREX Community Solutions Program 2027 offers experienced community leaders an opportunity to develop their leadership and technical skills through a professional exchange in the United States.

The programme provides substantial financial support, including airfare, a monthly living allowance, J-1 visa support and health coverage.

However, eligibility is restricted to citizens of specifically listed countries who also meet the age, experience and residence requirements. Nigeria is not included in the published 2027 eligible-country list.

Visit http://www.aktravelsltd.com for more international fellowships, scholarships and verified opportunities.