Fully Funded US Community Engagement Exchange
- Organization: IREX
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Ukraine
- Deadline: November 18, 2026
- Age: 22 to 27
- Funding: Fully Funded
The Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) is a leadership exchange run by IREX and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State for emerging community leaders aged 22 to 27 from ten European countries. Fellows spend six weeks in the United States, including a four-week placement with a U.S. host organisation, learning how American communities handle free expression, public debate and local problem-solving. Back home, each fellow designs and runs a community project using what they learned. **What you get:** - A six-week exchange in the United States in September and October 2027 - A four-week professional placement with a U.S. host organisation, matched to you - J-1 visa support and round-trip travel from your home city to the U.S. - An allowance for housing, meals and other living costs while in the U.S. - Accident and sickness health cover - The First Amendment and Civic Leadership Academy, a hybrid leadership curriculum - A network of more than 430 CEE alumni from 92 countries **What you'll do:** - Work alongside U.S. professionals on civic engagement and dialogue projects during your placement - Take part in virtual and in-person leadership training on free speech, open inquiry and constructive dialogue - Design and run an Actions, Words project that meets a need in your home community after the exchange **Key dates:** - Applications close November 18, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern Time - Age is counted on November 18, 2026 - The U.S. exchange runs September to October 2027 **More information:** - Application FAQs (PDF): https://www.irex.org/files/2027-cee-application-faqs.pdf - Questions: apply.CEE@irex.org
