The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. This program, facilitated by the Department of State, targets emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders from the Western Hemisphere.
Applications for the fellowship program will be accepted until May 15, 2025, ending at 11:59 p.m. EST. Interested individuals can begin their application process by visiting the official website at ylai.state.gov/apply.
The YLAI Fellowship is a fully funded, four-week exchange program that provides participants with the chance to enhance their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Participants engage in hands-on experiences, online courses, and direct collaboration with a designated U.S. professional partner. This initiative aims to establish business connections between U.S. entrepreneurs and their counterparts from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
Eligible candidates must be from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Applicants should be between the ages of 25 to 35 at the start of the program, have at least two years of experience leading a business or social venture, and must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Additionally, they should be available to travel to the United States between April and June 2026.
Questions related to the application process can be directed to YLAIFellowship@irex.org. More details about the fellowship can be found at ylai.state.gov/fellowship/.