The U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program is now officially accepting applications for its 2026 cohort. If you’re a driven young entrepreneur from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Canada looking to scale your impact, this fully funded opportunity may be the career catalyst you’ve been waiting for.
About the YLAI Fellowship
Since its inception in 2015, the YLAI Fellowship Program has empowered over 1,750 emerging business leaders by equipping them with entrepreneurial leadership skills and connecting them with U.S. companies and institutions. The 2026 program continues this legacy with a robust four-week fellowship experience in the United States, including:
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Professional Placement: Fellows will be matched with U.S.-based host businesses aligned with their entrepreneurial sector to develop and refine their Entrepreneurial Leadership Action Plan (E-LAP).
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Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum: Developed by IREX in collaboration with Arizona State University, this blended online and in-person curriculum provides technical training and leadership development.
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Opening Orientation & Closing Forum: Fellows will start the program with a formal welcome and conclude with a dynamic forum in Washington, D.C., including high-level networking with U.S. government officials and business leaders.
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Post-Fellowship Support: After returning home, YLAI Fellows gain continued access to mentoring, alumni activities, and may even host their U.S. placement partner through the Outbound Exchange Program.
If travel is restricted during the program period, activities will be conducted virtually to ensure safety and continued engagement.
Financial Coverage
Selected Fellows will receive comprehensive financial support, including:
- Round-trip airfare to and from the U.S.
- J-1 visa sponsorship (note: no dependents allowed)
- Housing and meal stipends
- Health insurance coverage during the program
- Travel within the U.S. for fellowship-related activities
- No application or participation fees
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be between 25 and 35 years old by January 1, 2026
- Be a resident and citizen of one of the eligible countries*
- Have a minimum of two (02) years’ experience running their own business
- Not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Be eligible for a J-1 visa
- Have strong English proficiency and complete all application responses without the use of generative AI
- Be committed to applying their entrepreneurial skills for community development.
*Eligible countries include most of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Canada, Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten. In the case of Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten, Dutch citizenship is accepted.
Selection Criteria
Selection is highly competitive and merit-based. Applicants will be evaluated on:
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial experience and business growth
- Community involvement and public service engagement
- Clear alignment between personal goals and YLAI program objectives
- Leadership qualities, perseverance, and initiative
- Ability to communicate effectively in English (evaluated during live interviews)
Semifinalist interviews will take place in July 2025, and applicants will be notified of their status by August 2025.
Apply: https://ylai.state.gov/fellowship/#info.
Reference: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-opens-applications-for-the-young-leaders-of-the-americas-initiative-ylai-2026-fellowship-program/.
