[5][6][7] IREX conducted scholarly exchanges between the US and the Soviet Union until the fall of the Iron Curtain.

[5] After the collapse of the Soviet Union, IREX implemented projects to support democratic reforms and strengthen organizations.

[8] IREX administered programs to conduct educational exchanges, strengthen civil society in developing countries, increase internet access, and provide training and support to journalists and media organizations.

[9][10][11] IREX designs and implements programs that focus on civil society, education, gender, governance, leadership, media, technology, and youth.

[12] These programs include the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders,[13][14] the World Smarts STEM Challenge,[15][16] and Learn to Discern, which has been discussed for its approach to helping citizens recognize disinformation and fake news.