U.S. Department of State IVLP Impact Awards

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Awards initiative engages alumni, strengthens global networks, and supports lasting community impact. Through this initiative, implemented by Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, selected IVLP alumni from across the world administer community impact projects that build on their IVLP exchange experience and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges.

The IVLP Impact Awards extend the collaboration that begins when IVLP participants network with professional peers across multiple U.S. communities. IVLP and U.S. participants actively engage to generate solutions to complex local and international challenges. From empowering women to fully participate in the political process to tackling the intricacies of regulating fishing practices in international waters, IVLP participants foster important connections. The IVLP Impact Awards initiative provides resources to strengthen and expand their connections as they return to their home communities worldwide. These outstanding IVLP Exchange Alumni designed IVLP Impact Awards projects, leveraging the knowledge and connections of their IVLP exchange experience to benefit their home communities.

With the funding from the IVLP Impact Awards initiative, nearly 600 IVLP alumni have successfully implemented solutions developed in collaboration with U.S. professionals and organizations, effectively addressing problems in their local communities since the initiative began.  Whether their projects focus on countering disinformation by educating youth on media literacy, tackling public health issues through community education, or promoting inclusive social change through the arts, IVLP Impact Awardees are taking action to address shared challenges in 143 countries around the world. Read about the 2024 cohort here. International exchange does not end with the flight home; the connections made translate into lasting, tangible impacts worldwide.  

 

2025 Application Information

Meet The IVLP Impact Awardees

Engage

IVLP Impact Award Alumni Discussion Series: A series of IVLP Impact Awardee-led virtual panel discussions that showcase the various community impact projects being implemented by IVLP alumni worldwide. The Awardees will share the IVLP inspiration behind their projects, their work, progress, and impact. Following the conversation, there will also be an opportunity for a limited Q&A.

Staff

About IVLP

Each year nearly 5,000 exchange participants come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.

Launched in 1940, the IVLP helps strengthen U.S. engagement with countries around the world and cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States. The majority of IVLP exchanges include visits to four U.S. communities over three weeks, although projects vary based on themes, Embassy requests and other factors. Participants meet with professional counterparts, visit U.S. public and private sector organizations related to the project theme and participate in cultural and social activities.

Learn more about IVLP at Meridian

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