Deadline: 10/11/2010
Open to: community leaders, ages 25-38 from the non-US countries – check the list below
Grant: the organization covers visa and travel expenses, insurance, housing, meals and incidentals
The Community Solutions Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and implemented by IREX. It is a professional development program for the best and brightest global community leaders working in Transparency & Accountability, Tolerance/Conflict Resolution, Environmental Issues, and Women’s Issues. Selected candidates will participate in: a four month US fellowship with a local organization; over 500 hours developing practical leadership skills; and, follow-on projects in their home countries.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE GRANT
• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to the US
• Accident and sickness insurance
• Stipend to cover housing, meals and incidentals
TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Community Solutions Program is merit-based and open to community leaders, ages 25-38 at the time of application, who meet the following criteria:
• from a participating country (U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S. , and individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years are not eligible for this program).
• currently living and working in his/her home country (Individuals participating in academic, training or research programs in the United States at the time of application and individuals residing or working outside their home countries at the time of application are not eligible for this program).
• currently working on a community project or initiative in his/her home country; and, has at least 2 years of professional experience in this capacity at the time of application.
• able to begin the program in the United States in 2011, and is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program.
• able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa (Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. Government who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application are not eligible for this program)
• proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
Africa – Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
America – Bolivia, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago
Asia – Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Eurasia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Europe – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia
Middle East & North Africa – Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian Territories
Please note that not all countries are eligible for all four thematic areas; please download application instructions for specific eligibility requirements and all other important details.
Applications must be submitted online at irex
The official webpage.
