Community College Initiative Program

The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides a quality non-degree academic program at US community colleges intended to build participants’ technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency. The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities that focus on building mutual understanding and knowledge of the United States.

Participants spend one academic year in the United States and may earn certificates in their fields of study. After completing the program, participants return home with the technical skills needed to join the workforce, responding to emerging national priorities and labor market demands in fields such as agriculture, applied engineering, and information technology.

CCI participants also enhance the internationalization of the US host colleges and their respective local communities. Since the program’s start in 2007, there have been over 3,900 alumni from 26 countries placed at 81 community colleges across 25 states.

The US Department of State expects to fund approximately 120 participants as part of the 2025-2026 CCI Program.

The CCI program is committed to reaching individuals in underserved areas who have historically had less access to international study opportunities. In Indonesia, this is reflected in AMINEF recruitment efforts that extend beyond major cities and provinces on Java, focusing on areas where such opportunities have been historically limited.

A special initiative funded by PT Freeport Indonesia allows a certain number of candidates from the provinces of Papua every year to receive CCI Program awards.

Fields of Study

Applications are welcome in the fields and concentrations listed in the following fields of study. Please click on CCI AY2025-2026_Fields of Study and Subfields List.

• Agriculture
• Applied Engineering
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Early Childhood Education
• Information Technology
• Creative Economy and Media

Eligibility Requirements

Qualified individuals from all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply. Application materials and medical forms should provide accurate and detailed information about any disability or special accommodations needed, to ensure their needs are fully understood during the US Department of State’s final selection process and adequately met by potential US host campuses.

Kindly note that the Indonesia program has specific requirements that may differ from those outlined in the CCI Program Overview document (linked at the bottom of the page). Applicants from Indonesia are advised to refer to the requirements listed below when applying to this program. For any inquiries, please reach out directly to the AMINEF staff.

Competition for the CCI Program is merit-based and open to anyone who:

• Is an Indonesian citizen residing in Indonesia
• Is 18 years or older by July 1, 2025
• Possesses leadership qualities and shows experience in community service
• Has preparation in and demonstrated commitment to the selected field of study through some academic or professional experience. The program aims to identify participants with proven skills or interests and limited professional experience in the fields of study offered.
• Is proficient in English
• Has an outstanding academic record
• Has limited or no overseas study experience. Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the United States will be given placement priority.
• Is willing and mentally and physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in its entirety, including activities or travel that may be programmed on any day of the week, possibly including early morning or evening hours.
• Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa two-year residency requirement.
• Is not receiving another fellowship at the time of this fellowship application.
• Can begin the academic exchange program in the United States in July 2025.

Ineligibility Criteria

A candidate may be removed from consideration if they do not meet all technical eligibility requirements. Individuals who meet the following criteria are NOT eligible for the CCI Program:

• US citizens.
• Non-US citizens living in the United States.
• Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the US.
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of Indonesia.
• Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the US government for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of their CCI application.
• Individuals who have applied for US permanent residency.
• Local employees who work for the US missions abroad, the US Department of State, and/or the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment.
• Are employees, close family members of an employee, or dependents of an employee of AMINEF, the US Embassy, or the US Department of State
• Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).

Specific Requirements

Applicants should:

• Hold at least a high school diploma
• Have a minimum TOEFL ITP score of 480, or TOEFL iBT score of 55, or IELTS score of 5,5, or Duolingo score of 95, and dedication to improving their English proficiency.
• Be currently working in the field in which they are applying with a maximum working experience below five years.

Applicants with D1, D2, or D3 degrees may apply, as well as those holding a bachelor’s degree (S1), as long as they are applying in a field different from the field of their degree and have relevant work experience in the field for which they are applying.

Applicants holding master’s or doctorate (PhD) degrees or currently enrolled as a student are not eligible to apply.

Additional non-eligibility criteria are outlined in the attached application form.

Note:
1. Applicants to the applied engineering field will need to have a solid foundation in math and are required to take a math placement exam at their host campuses to be eligible for certain credit-bearing courses.
2. To enroll in credit-bearing courses in an academic field of study, the applicant must meet the minimum language requirements of the host college—usually 500 on the TOEFL test or equivalent scores on other accepted exams. Participants’ language skills will be evaluated upon arrival at the host institution.

Grant Benefits

The CCI Program will provide funding for J-1 visa support, round-trip travel from the participant’s home city to the host institution in the United States, tuition and mandatory college fees, housing, and stipend to cover basic needs, such as food and transportation. Some colleges may provide on-campus meals, a small allowance for books, materials, and incidental expenses, limited Accident and Sickness coverage that is J-visa compliant, and a variety of personal and professional development activities. Students will be hosted in groups by community colleges competitively selected to participate in the program. Students are required to return home at the end of their program and may not transfer to a four-year US academic institution.

Note:  CCI participants may be able to earn a certificate in their respective academic area of study, depending on the host college, academic offerings available, and successful completion of requisite courses.  While certificates from the host college are valid credentials, they are not degrees.  Participants cannot transfer from non-degree status to degree status during their program under any circumstances.

Submission Requirements (supplied in English)

• Completed application form (see download link below)
• Copy of most recent (less than two years old) ITP TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score report
• Legalized copy of high school diploma and transcript (in Indonesian and English translation)
• Legalized copy of associate (D1/D2/D3) or bachelor’s degree (S1) transcript (in Indonesian and English translation)
• Copy of identity document (KTP or passport)
• Curriculum vitae/Resume
• Official Statement of Employment (Surat Keterangan Bekerja) from Employer/Work Supervisor or HR Officer in Indonesian

Deadline

The deadline for submitting application materials for the program is December 31.

*The exact deadline every year may be subject to change. If the application deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day. Only short-listed applicants will be notified and interviewed.

How to Apply

Candidates should complete the appropriate application forms (see download link below) and submit them along with all supporting documents in hard copy to AMINEF via mail or drop them off in person by the application deadline at the following address:

American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF)
Intiland Tower, Lantai 11
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 32
Jakarta 10220
Tel : (021) 579 39 085 – 9086

*Applicants can drop off their applications in a dropbox on the ground floor of the Intiland Tower, providing flexibility beyond regular work hours or days.

Contact Information

For questions specifically related to the fellowship program, please direct inquiries via email to infofulbright_ind@aminef.or.id

Download the application form

CCI Program Academic Year 2025-2026 Program Overview 

Recruitment FAQ 2025-2026 FINAL