Apply Now for the Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI) Fellowship Program 2025: Fully Funded Opportunity for Young Entrepreneurs in the Americas

About the Fellowship

The Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI) Fellowship Program empowers young entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada to expand their entrepreneurial ventures, improve their leadership skills, and contribute to economic development in their communities. Since its launch in 2015, the program has supported over 1,750 Fellows, helping them strengthen their businesses and build lasting connections that attract investment and collaboration.

Through a combination of professional placements, leadership training, and networking, YLAI Fellows gain valuable experience and resources to accelerate their entrepreneurial success. Fellows will develop their Entrepreneurial Leadership Action Plan (E-LAP), which they will implement upon returning to their home countries, building networks and partnerships to support their ventures.

Program Components

• Four-Week Professional Placement: YLAI Fellows gain hands-on experience by collaborating with entrepreneurial organizations in U.S. cities, focusing on their business sector. Fellows work alongside their host organizations to develop their E-LAP.

• YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum: The program includes a mix of online and in-person coursework designed by IREX and Arizona State University (ASU). This curriculum combines technical entrepreneurship training with leadership development, helping Fellows set and achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

• Opening Orientation in the U.S.: Upon arrival, Fellows attend an orientation event where they meet YLAI advisors, learn about program policies, and connect with other participants.

• Closing Forum in Washington, D.C.: Fellows participate in a forum with U.S. business leaders, government representatives, and other entrepreneurial stakeholders, fostering valuable networking opportunities.

• Post-Fellowship Sustained Engagement: After completing the fellowship, Fellows continue their collaboration with U.S. partners and have access to mentorships, professional development opportunities, and alumni activities. They may also participate in the Outbound Exchange Program to share their expertise with U.S. hosts in their home countries.

Financial Provisions of the YLAI Fellowship Program

The U.S. Government covers all program-related costs, including:

• J-1 visa support (without dependent support)

• Round-trip travel to the U.S. and domestic U.S. travel

• YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum and mentorship

• Housing and meal stipend during the program

• Accident and sickness benefit plan

There is no fee to apply for the YLAI Fellowship Program.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be between 25 and 35 years old by January 1, 2026.

• Be a citizen and resident of one of the participating countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, or Canada*: 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.

• Have a proven track record of growing their business for at least two years.

• Not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English without assistance from generative AI.

• Not be a U.S. government employee.

The fellowship is open to applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexuality, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee. If you do not meet the technical eligibility requirements for this program, we invite you to join the YLAI Network and visit exchanges.state.gov  for information on other U.S. Department of State exchange opportunities.

*Applications are considered based on content and program qualification, not grammar or spelling. English proficiency will be evaluated during the live semifinalist interviews, and we encourage personal and candid responses.   

Selection Criteria

The YLAI Fellowship Program is a merit-based competition, and applications are evaluated based on:

• Professional entrepreneurial experience and knowledge.

• Commitment to community service and applying entrepreneurial skills to benefit your community.

• Alignment of personal and professional goals with the program’s objectives.

• Leadership, perseverance, and initiative.

• Effective communication skills in English (evaluated during the interview process).

General Application Instructions and Tips 

The purpose of the application is to collect information and to better understand an applicant’s qualifications for the YLAI Fellowship Program. Questions are designed to capture the applicant’s professional background, experience with their own business, and English language proficiency. The application will also include the applicant’s work history and business profile. 

• The YLAI Fellowship Program uses an internet-based application system. You will need access to a computer or mobile device and the internet to apply. If you are unable to complete this online application due to a disability, please email apply.ylaifellowship@irex.org. The YLAI Team at IREX will coordinate with you directly regarding application accommodations.
• You do not have to finish your application in one session. You may save your work and return to complete your application as many times as necessary. Once you have submitted your application, you can no longer add any additional information or make any changes. All information must be entered prior to your final submission. You must submit your completed application by the deadline.
• Answer all questions on the application in English.
• All fields marked with an * must be completed.
• All answers in the application, including written responses to essays, must be your own, original work. Using generative AI tools or language copied from other past applicant essays or using language from websites is considered plagiarism and will result in disqualification.  
• You may wish to review the application and its questions before filling out the application. Some applicants find it helpful to draft their responses offline (in a separate Word document for example) and then cut and paste their responses into the appropriate sections of the application.
• This is the official application for the YLAI Fellowship Program administered by the U.S. Department of State. Only those applicants who complete this application will be considered. Applications and information submitted through email or other means will not be considered.

FAQs

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

All application information must be entered before submission. Once submitted, no further changes can be made. The program only accepts applications through the official online platform, and applications submitted through email or other means will not be considered.

If safe travel is not possible due to unforeseen circumstances, the program will be conducted virtually.

Join the Network

Even if you’re not selected for the fellowship, you can still be part of the YLAI Network. This platform provides opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration with fellow young leaders. For more information, visit the YLAI Network.

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Ready to take your business to the next level? Apply for the YLAI Fellowship today! Visit YLAI Fellowship Application for more details.