About Us

Iowa Resource for International Service is a nonprofit, non-religious organization founded in 1993 and located in Ames, Iowa.

Our mission is to promote international understanding, diversity and peace.

Through several grant programs, IRIS brings students, journalists, business people, educators and government leaders to Iowa from Africa,
Central and Eastern Europe 
and Asia.

Quick Facts:

• IRIS was founded in 1993 by former Lieutenant Governor, Robert Anderson.
• IRIS is the only organization that works with Nigerian and Tanzanian students within the YES program.
• IRIS also includes students with disabilities in the YES program.
• IRIS won the National Award for Outstanding Achievement in Citizen Diplomacy by the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy in 2006.
• IRIS has brought more than 700 international visitors to Iowa for various programs.