Community Solutions Program: Opportunities for Partners
The Community Solutions Program is seeking U.S.-based organizations to host a CSP Fellow for a three-month professional practicum from September 8 – November 26, 2025. To express your interest in hosting a fellow for a U.S.-based practicum, please complete the Host Interest Form. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about this opportunity, please email csp@irex.org.
Benefits of Hosting a CSP Fellow:
- Share your organization’s expertise with vetted and capable professionals working to improve their communities in over 100 countries.
- Receive direct support from an experienced professional in your organization's area of work.
- Gain new insights from fellows’ experiences and approaches to local challenges in their home communities.
- Strengthen your organization’s impact with fresh ideas and solutions from your fellow’s background.
- Develop employees’ professional skills by mentoring and supervising a fellow.
- Join a global network of community changemakers.
- Expand your organization’s international reach through reciprocal exchange grants.
Hosting Organization Requirements:
- Be a U.S.-based organization (public institution, government office, social incubator, business, or non-profit).
- Be willing to engage with a CSP Fellow(s) on substantive work for 32 hours per week (telework permitted two days per week).
- Be able to designate a host collaborator and peer collaborator for the Fellow’s professional development and support.
- Work on initiatives of concern to U.S. communities related to one or more CSP Program Themes.
The Placement Process
- Step 1: After your organization submits a Host Interest Form, a member of our team will review your organization’s mission and goals to determine if we have a fellow with similar goals and expertise. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about this opportunity, please email csp@irex.org.
- Step 2: If a potential match is identified, a member of our team will contact you with the fellow’s information, including their resume and a short profile.
- Step 3: You will have a chance to review the fellow’s background, as well as the CSP Host Letter of Agreement before formally confirming your interest in serving as a practicum host.
- Step 4: If you wish to continue as a practicum host, we will request that you conduct a short introductory call with your matched fellow to learn more about what the Fellow hopes to achieve and explore what sorts of professional development opportunities you can provide as a host partner.
- Step 5: Finally, you will participate in a virtual host orientation course on Canvas where you will explore the various aspects of CSP and consult resources to prepare you for hosting a fellow.
Opportunities to Engage with the CSP Network:
- Host a fellow at your U.S.-based organization for a 32-hour per week practicum from August to November. IREX seeks community-based organizations that actively engage in projects that strengthen American communities and value mutual learning across borders.
- Support our next cohort by sharing the Community Solutions application with your networks or serving on the Selection Committee to help review applicants.
Why Partner with CSP?
- Connect with experienced professionals from around the world. CSP Fellows are mid-career experts motivated to contribute to and learn from U.S. organizations. Together, you’ll create practical solutions to shared challenges.
- Expand your professional network and collaborate on grassroots initiatives around the world.
- Gain fresh perspectives and expertise aligned with your mission and community needs.
- Boost your organization’s visibility through a network of 400+ U.S. partners and 700+ global leaders.
Investing in American Communities:
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, IREX provides full support for CSP Fellows, including travel, housing, insurance, and ongoing program support.
Additional Information
Contact
For general questions about the program, please email csp@irex.org. A member of our team will follow up with additional information.