FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellowship Program

Background
The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program, launched in 2015, is the Department of State’s flagship initiative to empower emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere to enable the full economic potential of the region’s citizens. Combining a yearly fellowship program, an active and open online YLAI Network, and ongoing engagement from U.S. embassies, YLAI fosters prosperity, inclusive development, and democratic values.

The YLAI Fellowship Program is a two-way global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding; empower innovative business and social entrepreneurs to contribute to social and economic development in their communities and countries; and build a lasting and sustainable network of entrepreneurs across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States.

Grant Details
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking proposal submissions for one cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. The FY 2022 Program will bring approximately 280 participants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada for a five to six-week Fellowship program including orientation, four to five-week individually tailored working placement in a U.S. business or organization complemented by entrepreneurial training and workshops, an end of program closing event, and follow-on alumni activities.

The U.S. outbound exchange component will support approximately 70 U.S. participants traveling overseas for approximately two weeks to assist with implementation of the YLAI Fellows' action plans, follow-on projects, and special initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements
Fellows will be business or social entrepreneurs, age 25-35, recruited and selected from eligible countries in the Western Hemisphere: 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
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Maarten
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela.

Period of Performance
The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components of the YLAI Fellowship Program. The program should offer a dynamic and substantive professional mentorship experience to entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere seeking to scale an existing business or social venture in their home countries.

Grant Value
It is the Bureau’s intent to award one cooperative agreement of up to $6.6 million pending availability of FY 2022 funds.

Place of Performance
The YLAI Fellowship Program will take place across Latin America,the Caribbean,and Canada for a five to six-week Fellowship program including orientation,four to five-week individually tailored working placement in a U.S.business or organization complemented by entrepreneurial training and workshops.