The Community Solutions Program (CSP) 2027, run by IREX with the U.S. Department of State, sends experienced community leaders to the United States for about three to four months, then supports a nine-month project back home. Morocco is on the list of eligible countries. Applications close on 24 November 2026. The program page itself prints no closing date, so confirm it in the application portal before you start.
Community Solutions Program 2027 at a glance
| Application deadline | 24 November 2026 (time zone not stated) |
| Who can apply | Citizens of Morocco, aged 27 to 39, with at least five years of community work, living and working in Morocco |
| Program | About 3 to 4 months in the U.S., including a 12-week practicum, then a nine-month SCALE-Up Project at home |
| Covered | Most expenses, including J-1 visa support, round-trip travel, a monthly allowance and health coverage |
| Cost to apply | No application fee is mentioned |
| Apply at | csp.irex.org |
Who can apply from Morocco?
You must be a Moroccan citizen aged between 27 and 39 at the time of application, with at least five years of work on community issues that produced measurable local benefits. You must live and work in Morocco when you apply, not abroad on an academic, training or research program. This call therefore does not suit members of the diaspora based outside Morocco. You also need high spoken and written English, must be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa, and must not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. IREX states that eligibility is set by the U.S. Department of State and that exceptions cannot be made.
What does the program include?
- A U.S. fellowship of about three to four months with a 12-week practicum at a host organization and regional field visits.
- Innovation and Applied Skills Labs on regional economic development, leadership tools and emerging technologies.
- A nine-month SCALE-Up Project at home, where you adapt at least one U.S. model, tool or partnership approach.
- Coverage of most expenses: J-1 visa support, round-trip travel from your home city, a monthly living allowance (no amount stated), and accident and sickness coverage.
Planning dates for the 2027 cohort are orientation on 2 to 5 August, practicum from 9 August to 29 October and an end-of-program workshop on 1 to 4 November 2027, all subject to confirmation.
How to apply
- Confirm that you meet every requirement on the IREX application information page.
- Read the application instructions.
- Apply online at csp.irex.org and disclose any use of AI tools in your answers. Responses must reflect your own experience.
- Send questions to apply.csp@irex.org.
Advice from the Moroccopreneur team
- Count your five years carefully. Describe each role by the measurable benefit it brought to a named community.
- Plan your SCALE-Up Project before you apply. The program expects you to return to Morocco and adapt a U.S. model locally.
- Book an English assessment early. Semi-finalists without a valid TOEFL score of 520 (paper) or 213 (computer-based) must take an approved test.
- Check the deadline in the portal and submit days before it, not on the last evening.
FAQ
Is Morocco eligible?
Yes. Morocco is listed among the eligible Middle East and North Africa countries.
Can I apply from abroad?
No. IREX requires you to live and work in your home country when you apply.
Does it cost anything to apply?
The IREX page mentions no application fee.
What happens after the exchange?
You return home for at least two years and implement your SCALE-Up Project over nine months.
Sources
IREX: Community Solutions Program application information
