The 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship (CEE) is an immersive transformational leadership development program that empowers passionate visionaries with the skills, competencies to harness their potential while building quality relationships and communities around the world.
This article covers the key details about the fellowship, including the benefits, eligibility criteria, and the application process. Keep reading to learn more about this fellowship.
Contents
- 1 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Summary
- 2 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Details
- 3 Eligibility Requirements for the 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship
- 4 Eligible Countries by Region
- 5 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Benefits
- 6 How to Apply for the 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship (Step-by-Step)
- 7 Deadline
- 8 Receive the Latest Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Summary
- Host Country: United States
- Study Abroad: Study in USA
- Host Institution: IREX
- Category: Fellowship
- Eligible Continents: Specific African Countries | East Asia and the Pacific| Europe and Eurasia| Middle East and North Africa | South and Central Asia| Western Hemisphere
- Rewards: Visa Support | Travel Expenses | Monthly Allowance | Health and Medical Insurance
- Application Deadline: Thursday, May 22, 2025
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2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Details
The Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship is a global network of emerging civil society leaders collaborating with communities to tackle critical 21st-century challenges. The CEE program is designed to empower dedicated changemakers with the required skills, competencies, and access to resources to develop multisector techniques and build strong communities in the US and over 100 countries.
The CEE fellowship is a year-long innovative leadership development experience curated to prepare leaders aged 21 to 27 years old. The goal is to equip the next generation of thought leaders, community activists, and decision makers to boldly step into greater leadership roles in their communities and institutions to create a chain of global leaders.
Sponsored by the U.S. Government, in partnership with IREX, this initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of State. In the first three months of this program, the community engagement exchange fellows are paired with local organisations, private entities, and government offices across the United States to tackle the issues they face in their communities.
This fellowship program is open to specific countries in these continents: Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Western Hemisphere.
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Eligibility Requirements for the 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship
Acceptance into the CEE Program is based on merit and is open to leaders in civil society who meet the following criteria:
- Must be between 21 to 27 years old.
- Must have a minimum of two years of experience working on community or civil society issues, as a professional or volunteer.
- Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries (listed below).
- Currently residing and working in their home country (refugees serving their home communities may also apply).
- Applicants must be involved in a local community project either as a professional or volunteer and committed to long-term work in the civil society space.
- Be ready to move to the U.S. in 2026 for the program and return afterwards to implement your community project.
- Must be eligible for a J-1 visa and have strong English language skills.
- If selected as a semifinalist, you’ll take the Duolingo English Test to confirm your proficiency. Finalists will be required to communicate easily with proficient speakers.
Note: Individuals who fall under any of the following are not eligible for the 2026 CEE fellowship program. - A U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.
- Currently in a study, training, or research program in the U.S. or abroad.
- Individuals who are living or working outside your home country, except as a refugee, are serving your community.
- Those who have participated in a U.S. government-funded exchange and haven’t completed the two-year return requirement.
- Individuals who have applied for a U.S. green card within the last 3 years.
- People who fall under any public health or other eligibility restrictions, as advised by U.S. federal agencies.
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Eligible Countries by Region
The fellowship is open to candidates from the following countries:
- Africa: Cameroon, DRC, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
- East Asia & Pacific: Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
- Europe & Eurasia: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia.
- Middle East & North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia.
- South & Central Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.
- Western Hemisphere: Bolivia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela.
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2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship Benefits
The CEE program covers the costs of these expenses:
- Travel expenses from your home city to the US.
- J-1 visa support
- Monthly stipend for your accommodation, housing, meals, and other expenses in the US.
- Health insurance covers your medical costs in case of accident or sickness.
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How to Apply for the 2026 Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship (Step-by-Step)
The application process for the CEE program is straightforward. Please follow the steps below to apply.
- Register on the application portal.
- Provide all the required information.
- Cross-check your details and submit your application.
Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad, OR Write a Personal Statement? Here is a Simple Guide for you:
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Deadline
The Application Deadline for the Community Engagement Exchange Fellowship is May 22, 2025.
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