The deadline for applications for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program has been extended through Friday, April 28, 2017! The application is best viewed and completed on a computer. Apply now!

The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) empowers entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their entrepreneurial ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their communities. In fall 2017, 250 YLAI Professional Fellows from Latin America and the Caribbean will expand their leadership and entrepreneurial experience through fellowships at businesses and civil society organizations across the U.S. Through the YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute and the individualized Fellowships, YLAI Fellows will accelerate their commercial and social ventures’ success and develop specific action plans to carry out upon return to their home countries. YLAI Fellows will build networks, linkages and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures. YLAI 2017 Fellows will participate in the following program components:

• Four-week U.S. Fellowship: With U.S. fellowship hosts in their fields of expertise, YLAI Professional Fellows gain valuable professional development skills at entrepreneurial organizations or companies across the U.S. and work jointly on an action plan to be implemented upon Fellows’ return to their home countries.
• Washington, D.C. Summit: YLAI Professional Fellows participate in a three-day conference and networking event with top U.S. government officials as well as global public, private and nonprofit leaders.
• YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute: YLAI Professional Fellows expand their leadership, entrepreneurial and management skills and knowledge through online and in-person trainings that complement their U.S. Fellowship.
• Post-Fellowship Sustained Engagement: After successful completion of the U.S. Fellowship and YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute, YLAI Professional Fellows continue their collaboration with U.S. partners and have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorships, networking and alumni activities. YLAI Professional Fellows will be eligible for Innovation Small Grants to fund startup or scaling activities, Travel Grants to attend conferences, and a chance to welcome a Fellowship Host to their country to share expertise and expand the host’s understanding of the entrepreneurship climate in YLAI Professional Fellows’ home countries.

YLAI Program Timeline

Financial Provisions of the YLAI Professional Fellowship Program

There is no fee to apply to become a YLAI Professional Fellow. All YLAI Professional Fellows Program expenses are covered by the U.S. government and include the following categories:

• J-1 visa support.
• Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to the United States and all required program travel.
• YLAI Entrepreneurship Institute training and courses.
• Program opening in Atlanta, GA and summit in Washington, D.C.
• Four-week professional development experience.
• Accident and sickness medical coverage.
• Housing and meals throughout the program.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates will be considered without respect 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 Professional Fellows Program. The YLAI Professional Fellows Program is open to young entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 21 and 35 on the start date of the YLAI Professional Fellows Program.
• Are a resident and citizen of one of the participating countries*: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, 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 the 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 at least two (2) years of professional experience.
• Have experience with a startup business or social venture.
• Are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident 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 Meridian International Center reserve the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

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 visit exchanges.state.gov for information on other U.S. Department of State exchange opportunities.

What are the criteria for selection?

The YLAI Professional Fellows Program is an open, merit-based competition. There is no cost to apply. After the application deadline of 11:59 PM EST, Friday, April 28, 2017, a selection panel reviews all eligible applications. Semifinalists will be contacted to schedule an interview in June. All applicants will be notified of their status in August 2017.

The YLAI Professional Fellows Program candidate selection committee will use 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 to 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’s or business’s success, positive attitude, initiative and perseverance.

Application information

The purpose of the application is to collect basic information and to better understand applicants’ qualifications for the YLAI Professional Fellows Program. Questions will include candidates’ professional background and experience with their own business or social ventures, volunteer activities, and English language proficiency. The application will require applicants’ work history and business or organization plans.

Additionally, the application will include the following short essay questions:

• Please write your professional biography. Include a description of your relevant professional and volunteer history, current work, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
• How does your business or organization benefit your community, society or country? How will your participation in the YLAI Professional Fellows Program enhance your ability to contribute to your community?
• What personal and professional goals do you hope to work towards during this fellowship, and how will participating in the YLAI Professional Fellows Program help you to achieve them?
• Tell us about a significant lesson you have learned about leadership during your career. How has this changed the way you lead yourself and others?