U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program

U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program

Overview

The U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program (U.S. Exchange Alumni Program) enables U.S. alumni to use their skills, knowledge, and networks to model American exceptionalism and drive American progress and ingenuity.

The U.S. Exchange Alumni Program offers a robust catalog of professional development opportunities for the 500,000-strong U.S. citizen exchange alumni community at every stage of their career trajectories. These opportunities foster strong alumni connections across the U.S. Government’s exchange portfolio, advance the U.S Department of State’s citizen diplomacy initiatives, and promote mutual understanding between the United States and countries around the world. 

U.S. Exchange Alumni Program activities are available to U.S. citizen exchange alumni including alumni of the Boren Awards, Critical Language Scholarship Program, Fulbright Program, Gilman Program, Peace Corps, Sports Envoy Program, Youth Ambassadors Program, and others.

The U.S. Exchange Alumni Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.

Project Activities

  • Career Connections Seminars convene U.S. exchange alumni throughout the year for in-person and virtual professional development, networking and engagement with the U.S. Department of State on the exchange alumni network’s role in demonstrating American leadership and innovation. In- Person Career Connection Seminars strengthen early-career alumni’s professional networks and job skills, with a focus on leveraging their exchange experiences to succeed in the local and global economy. Virtual Career Connections Webinars focus on practical career and employment skills, while offering insights into careers across emerging and in-demand sectors.
  • Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) Small Grants Program awards competitively selected teams of U.S. exchange alumni a small grant to design and implement a project that applies the knowledge and skills gained on their exchange program and advances U.S. Department of State and U.S. foreign policy priorities.
  • U.S. Exchange Alumni Fellowship Program enables nine U.S. exchange alumni from different regions in the U.S. to grow their leadership and professional skills, and connection with their home communities by developing and implementing activities for exchange alumni in their regions. Fellows also participate in the planning and promotion of the in-person and virtual career connection seminars.

Goals

  • Provide opportunities for U.S. exchange alumni to apply the skills and knowledge gained through their exchange programs in ways that contribute to the American economy.
  • Deepen connections among U.S. exchange alumni and foster collaboration both within the alumni community and with the U.S. Department of State.
  • Expand the reach and capacity of the U.S. exchange alumni network to model American innovation at home and abroad.  

Partners

U.S. flag and U.S. Department of State seal

The U.S. Exchange Alumni Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX. 

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