The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas, effectively contributing to social and economic development in their communities. Since the initiative's launch in 2015, more than 1,000 YLAI Fellows from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada have expanded their leadership and entrepreneurial experience through fellowships at businesses and organizations across the United States. Through the YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum and individualized professional placements, YLAI Fellows have accelerated the success of their commercial and social ventures and developed specific action plans to implement upon returning to their home countries. YLAI Fellows have built networks, linkages, and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures.
Program Components
- Four-Week Professional Placement: In cities across the United States, YLAI Fellows gain valuable professional development skills and experience at U.S. entrepreneurial organizations relevant to their business sector. Fellows will collaborate with their placement host on their Entrepreneurial Leadership Action Plan (E-LAP), which they will implement upon returning to their home countries.
- YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum: The YLAI Fellowship Program includes online and in-person coursework developed by IREX and Arizona State University (ASU), combining technical entrepreneurship training and leadership development. Using the E-LAP, Fellows will set and achieve their entrepreneurial leadership goals.
- YLAI Closing Forum in the United States: YLAI Fellows participate in the YLAI Closing Forum in Washington, D.C., along with networking events featuring business and social entrepreneurial leaders and U.S. government representatives.
- Post-Fellowship Sustained Engagement: After successfully completing the Fellowship, YLAI Fellows continue their collaboration with U.S. partners and have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorship, networking, and alumni activities. YLAI Fellows will also have the chance to welcome a U.S. host to their country through the Outbound Exchange Program, sharing their expertise on the entrepreneurial climate in their home country.
Please note that if safe travel is not possible at the time of the YLAI Fellowship, this program will be conducted virtually.
Eligibility
Candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexuality, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established by U.S. law. Applicants with disabilities are eligible and encouraged to apply for the YLAI Fellowship Program. The YLAI Fellowship Program is open to young entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35 by January 1, 2023.
- Are residents and citizens of one of the participating countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela. In specific cases of residency in Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten, citizenship in the Netherlands is accepted.
- Are eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
- Have a demonstrated track record of successfully growing their own business or social venture for at least two years.
- Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
- Are not U.S. government employees.
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
The U.S. Department of State and its implementing partner, IREX, reserve the right to verify all information included in the application. If there is a discrepancy or information is found to be false, the application will be declared invalid, and the applicant will be ineligible.
Benefits
There is no fee to apply for the YLAI Fellowship. If selected, the U.S. Government will cover all program costs, including:
- J-1 visa support (note: no visa support will be offered to dependents, as this is an unaccompanied program).
- Round-trip travel from the participant’s home city to the United States and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program.
- YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum coursework and mentoring.
- Closing Forum in Washington, D.C.
- Four-week professional placement with a host organization.
- A limited accident and sickness benefit plan.
- Housing and meal stipend during the program.
Selection Criteria
The YLAI Fellowship Program is an open, merit-based competition. There is no cost to apply. After the application deadline, an independent selection committee of regional and technical experts reviews all eligible applications. Selected semifinalists will be contacted to schedule an interview in January-February, and all applicants will be notified of their status by March 2022. The YLAI Fellowship Program Selection Committee uses the following criteria to evaluate applications and interviews:
- Demonstrated professional entrepreneurial experience and knowledge.
- Commitment to community or public service, mentorship, or volunteerism in your home country, and applying entrepreneurial and leadership skills, experience, and knowledge to benefit your community and country.
- Demonstrated understanding of how your personal and professional goals align with program objectives.
- Demonstrated leadership, commitment to your organization or business's success, positive attitude, initiative, and perseverance.
For More Information
Visit the YLAI Fellowship Program webpage.
