FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) | Apply Online

FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program - FAQs

1) What is the FY 2026 YLAI grant opportunity?

The FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant opportunity to select a single organization to design, run, and manage the YLAI Fellowship Program under a cooperative agreement.

2) Which office within the Department of State is issuing this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by ECA's Office of Citizen Exchanges, Global Leaders Division.

3) What is the main purpose of YLAI?

YLAI focuses on strengthening economic ties and entrepreneurship across the Western Hemisphere by connecting emerging business leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean with U.S. companies and communities. It is positioned as an economic and strategic tool intended to support U.S. commercial interests, expand business partnerships, and increase awareness of U.S. business leadership and values in the region.

4) How does the program align with U.S. foreign policy priorities?

YLAI is intended to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities through economic engagement. It emphasizes entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and innovation, while building cross-border networks that can contribute to trade and investment outcomes and reinforce U.S. leadership in the Western Hemisphere.

5) Is this program only an exchange experience, or does it have economic goals?

Based on the description provided, YLAI is framed as more than an exchange. The program is designed to create durable professional channels that can help U.S. businesses access new markets, promote U.S. exports, and expand business partnerships across the region.

6) How many awards does ECA expect to make?

ECA expects to make one award.

7) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $7,875,000.

8) What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement.

9) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means there will be substantial involvement by the Department of State in shaping or overseeing implementation compared to a standard grant. In practice, that suggests close coordination with ECA during program design and delivery.

10) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017987.

11) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number?

The assistance listing (CFDA) is 19.415.

12) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 26, 2026.

13) What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is June 5, 2026.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, as well as certain other eligible entities as specified in the full announcement.

15) How many participants are expected to come to the United States as fellows?

The program anticipates approximately 250 participants from the Caribbean and Latin America coming to the United States for the fellowship.

16) How long is the in-person fellowship experience in the United States?

The in-person fellowship experience is expected to be five to six weeks.

17) What are the main components of the in-person fellowship?

The in-person portion is expected to include an orientation period, tailored placements with U.S. businesses or organizations aligned with each fellow's sector and goals, focused entrepreneurial training to strengthen business capabilities, and a closing event.

18) What are "tailored placements" in the context of this program?

Tailored placements refer to matching fellows with U.S. businesses or organizations that align with each fellow's sector and professional goals, as described in the program outline provided.

19) Does the program include activities after fellows return home?

Yes. The in-person portion is designed to feed into continued post-program alumni engagement. The implementing organization is expected to maintain momentum after the fellows return home through structured alumni activities and ongoing collaboration mechanisms.

20) How does YLAI support long-term collaboration beyond the fellowship?

The program intentionally blends in-person programming with technology-enabled engagement so relationships and collaboration can continue after the fellowship. It also emphasizes building long-term relationships among fellows, U.S. hosts, and U.S. embassies.

21) Is there an outbound component involving U.S. participants traveling abroad?

Yes. Roughly 100 U.S. participants are expected to travel to countries across Latin America and the Caribbean to support fellows' action plans and deepen professional networks.

22) What is the purpose of sending U.S. participants to the region?

This outward-facing component is intended to reinforce that the fellowship is not limited to U.S.-based training. It is meant to generate practical follow-on collaboration, partnerships, and locally grounded implementation in fellows' home markets, with U.S. participants contributing expertise, connections, or business development support.

23) What geographic region does the program focus on?

The program focuses on the Western Hemisphere, specifically connecting the United States with emerging business leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean.

24) What themes or values are emphasized in the program?

The program emphasizes entrepreneurship, free enterprise, innovation, and strengthening awareness of U.S. business leadership and values in the region.

25) What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

Based on the provided description, intended outcomes include stronger cross-border entrepreneurial networks, expanded business partnerships, increased trade and investment connections, and durable professional channels that can support U.S. exports and U.S. business access to new markets.

26) What responsibilities will the selected implementing organization have?

The selected implementer is expected to handle end-to-end design and delivery, including recruiting and supporting participants, arranging placements and entrepreneurial training, coordinating major program events (including orientation and closing), integrating virtual engagement tools, sustaining an alumni network, and working closely with U.S. embassies to help translate the fellowship into real commercial connections and longer-term collaboration.

27) What level of capacity is this competition seeking from applicants?

The competition is seeking an organization that can manage large-scale international exchange logistics and programming while staying aligned with U.S. economic priorities in the region.

28) How central are U.S. embassies to YLAI implementation?

The program description highlights building long-term relationships that include U.S. embassies, and it states that the implementer will work closely with U.S. embassies to ensure the fellowship translates into commercial connections and longer-term collaboration.

29) What makes the FY 2026 program scope "sizable"?

The scope includes approximately 250 inbound fellows for a five to six-week U.S. fellowship experience, plus roughly 100 U.S. participants traveling to countries across the region, along with required post-program alumni engagement and technology-enabled collaboration.

30) Where can applicants find additional eligibility details?

The summary notes that "certain other eligible entities" may apply as specified in the full announcement. Applicants should consult the full funding announcement for the complete eligibility list and any additional requirements.