Ghanaians aged 27 to 39 with five years of community experience can apply for the fully funded US fellowship until November 24, 2026.

Published 13 Nov 2026, 14:11 GMT

3 min read

Community Solutions Program fellows celebrating at a programme event — Community Solutions Program fellows. Photo: IREX

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Applications are open for the 2027 Community Solutions Program, a fully funded United States fellowship for community leaders, and Ghanaian applicants have until Tuesday, November 24 to apply.

The programme is sponsored by the US Department of State and implemented by the non-profit IREX. It recruits experienced leaders working to grow economic opportunity in their communities.

Who can apply

Applicants must be between 27 and 39 years old when they apply and must be living and working in Ghana. The organisers require at least five years of experience on community issues, with measurable benefits to local communities.

Candidates need strong spoken and written English. Semi-finalists lacking a valid TOEFL score of at least 520 overall, or 213 on the computer-based test, must sit an approved English assessment.

Applicants cannot be US citizens or permanent residents, and must not have applied for US permanent residency in the past three years.

Fellows also commit to returning home for at least two years to run a project built on what they learned.

What the fellowship covers

Most participation costs are covered by the programme: help with the J-1 visa, return travel from the fellow's home city, a monthly allowance for US housing and meals, and health cover for accidents and sickness. Fellows with disabilities can receive accommodations.

Selected leaders spend roughly four months in the United States in 2027. Orientation in Washington, DC runs from August 2 to 5, a 12-week practicum with a US organisation follows from August 9 to October 29, and the programme closes with a workshop from November 1 to 4.

This year's focus is regional economic growth. Applicants pick one sector, such as business and entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, or hospitality and tourism, plus training tracks that range from e-commerce to workforce development and youth engagement.

How to apply

That is about 4:59 am Ghana time on Wednesday, November 25. Mailed, faxed or emailed applications are not accepted.

IREX advises using one email address throughout and writing all answers in English. Applicants who use AI tools to strengthen responses must disclose it.

Questions go to apply.csp@irex.org. Semi-finalists will be notified by December 22, must complete interviews by January 8, and learn the final outcome on February 25, 2027.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

US Community Solutions Program 2027: Ghanaians can apply until November 24

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