The U.S. Exchange Alumni Fellowship, a component of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program (U.S. Exchange Alumni Program), is an opportunity to drive engagement and foster connection among U.S. Exchange Alumni across the United States.  Nine U.S. Exchange Alumni Fellows embedded across different regions will strengthen their leadership and professional skills while deepening connections between alumni and mobilizing the U.S. alumni network in support of local economic growth. 

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.

Application Live January 2026!

Activities 

As leaders of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network, fellows will take ownership of a specific U.S. region, raising awareness, generating interest, and sparking engagement within the alumni network. In close coordination with the U.S. Department of State and IREX, fellows will plan and implement a series of professional development events, manage a network of influencers, mentor early career professionals, and amplify available alumni opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of State. 

During the 10-month U.S. Exchange Alumni Fellowship, fellows will: 

• Identify and lead regional initiatives to build community, grow the network, and strengthen cross-program engagement
• Support the implementation of the virtual and regional Career Connections seminars
• Identify and coach volunteer exchange alumni who will support the fellows with regional alumni network activation
• Promote the Exchange Alumni Portal, Career Connections events, Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund small grants, and other U.S. Department of State alumni initiatives
• Support and attend the in-person Washington, D.C. Career Connections seminar, receive professional development, and engage with policy and thought leaders
• Participate in an in-person professional development workshop
• Report on their event activities and check-in with the U.S. Department of State and IREX on a regular basis

Fellow Benefits

• Monthly stipend in support of Fellowship contributions
• Attendance at a professional development workshop in Washington, D.C. in July 2026
• Hands-on experience in program management, strategic communications, and network building
• Opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. Department of State and IREX to strengthen the U.S. Exchange Alumni network
• Opportunity to apply for additional seed money to implement in-person Fellowship events 

Application Instructions

Fellowship applications must include all the following components. Incomplete applications at the submission deadline will be considered ineligible. 

• Completed Application Form
• Professional resume
• Documentation of alumnus status
• Letter of Support from a professional or academic reference

Eligibility Requirements

Successful candidates will be mid-career professionals interested in strengthening their leadership capacity and will have interest and experience in strategic communications, alumni events, and network engagement.

To be eligible for Fellowship selection, alumni must meet all eligibility requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Alumnus in good standing of a U.S. Government sponsored exchange program (Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, David L. Boren Scholarship and Fellowship, International Sports Programming Initiatives, Fulbright Programs, U.S. Peace Corps, etc.)

U.S. Government and IREX employees and their immediate family members are not eligible.  

Selection Criteria

Eligible applications will be reviewed based on the following selection criteria:  

• Commitment to supporting and growing the U.S. Exchange Alumni network to advance the U.S. Department of State’s citizen diplomacy initiatives
• Experience with outreach, recruitment, marketing, events, and alumni associations
• Ongoing or past engagement with U.S. Government-sponsored exchange alumni network
• Experience with event implementation and event budget management
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills, including experience preparing content for websites, email, and social media
• Impact of the Fellowship on the candidate’s professional development and career goals

Fellowship Timeline

January 22, 2026: Application opens

February 23, 2026: Application closes

March 2026: Fellow selection

April 2026: Orientation

April 2026 – January 2027: Fellowship duration

Contact

For questions about the U.S. Exchange Alumni Program Fellowship, please email usexchangealumni@irex.org.