FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellowship Program

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. YLAI directly serves U.S. foreign policy objectives as defined by the interim National Security Strategy and Joint Regional Strategy for the Western Hemisphere.