Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008550
The FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange and entrepreneurship initiative run through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Launched in 2015, it is positioned as the Department of State's flagship effort to support emerging business and social entrepreneurs across the Western Hemisphere. The program is designed as a two-way exchange that strengthens mutual understanding between the United States and participating countries while helping entrepreneurs build practical skills, expand networks, and increase their ability to drive economic and social development back home. Alongside the annual fellowship experience, YLAI also includes an open, active online YLAI Network and continued engagement through U.S. embassies, creating a longer-term platform for collaboration rather than a one-time training event.
At a high level, the grant supports the operation of a fellowship program that connects entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States into a sustained regional network. The fellowship emphasizes entrepreneurship as a tool for prosperity, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democratic values. The opportunity frames YLAI not only as a workforce or small business initiative, but as a public diplomacy and foreign policy program aligned with U.S. regional priorities, explicitly noting consistency with the interim National Security Strategy and the Joint Regional Strategy for the Western Hemisphere. In practical terms, the funded project is expected to identify, convene, and support innovative entrepreneurs, facilitate cross-border professional relationships, and maintain ongoing alumni engagement so that the benefits continue after the formal fellowship period ends.
This funding opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, meaning the Department of State anticipates substantial involvement in program direction and oversight during implementation. The total award ceiling is $6,600,000, and the agency expects to make one award under this competition. The eligible applicant pool is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The assistance listing is associated with CFDA number 19.415. The opportunity was created on January 21, 2022, with an original application closing date of March 25, 2022, indicating the timeline for submission in that fiscal year cycle.
Overall, the grant is intended to fund a single nonprofit implementer to manage and deliver the YLAI Fellowship Program at scale, combining recruitment and selection, structured exchange programming, network-building, and sustained post-fellowship engagement. The central outcome is a durable, hemisphere-wide community of entrepreneurs who can collaborate across borders, strengthen local ecosystems, and contribute to economic growth and social impact, while also advancing U.S. goals related to regional partnerships and people-to-people ties.Apply for SFOP0008550
- The Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Fellowship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 21, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 25, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $6,600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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FY 2022 YLAI Fellowship Program Grant FAQs
What is the FY 2022 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program?
The FY 2022 YLAI Fellowship Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange and entrepreneurship initiative administered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It supports emerging business and social entrepreneurs across the Western Hemisphere and is described as the Department of State's flagship effort in this area.
Who funds and oversees this opportunity?
This opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of State and run through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Because it is offered as a cooperative agreement, the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement in program direction and oversight during implementation.
When was YLAI launched?
YLAI was launched in 2015.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The grant supports operation of a fellowship program that connects entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States into a sustained regional network. The funded project is expected to identify, convene, and support innovative entrepreneurs, facilitate cross-border professional relationships, and maintain ongoing alumni engagement so benefits continue after the formal fellowship ends.
Is YLAI only a training program?
No. The opportunity positions YLAI as a longer-term platform rather than a one-time training event. In addition to the annual fellowship experience, it includes an open, active online YLAI Network and continued engagement through U.S. embassies.
What does "two-way exchange" mean in this program context?
The program is described as a two-way exchange designed to strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and participating countries, while also helping entrepreneurs build practical skills, expand networks, and increase their ability to drive economic and social development back home.
Which regions and countries are included in the fellowship network?
The fellowship connects entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States, with the goal of building a hemisphere-wide community of entrepreneurs.
What kinds of entrepreneurs does the program focus on?
The program focuses on emerging business and social entrepreneurs and aims to support innovative entrepreneurs who can contribute to economic growth and social impact in their communities.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The central outcome is a durable, hemisphere-wide community of entrepreneurs who can collaborate across borders, strengthen local ecosystems, and contribute to economic growth and social impact. The program also aims to strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties in the region.
How does the opportunity describe the role of entrepreneurship?
The fellowship emphasizes entrepreneurship as a tool for prosperity, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democratic values.
How is this opportunity connected to U.S. foreign policy priorities?
The opportunity frames YLAI as a public diplomacy and foreign policy program aligned with U.S. regional priorities. It explicitly notes consistency with the interim National Security Strategy and the Joint Regional Strategy for the Western Hemisphere.
What type of award is being used for this funding?
This is a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, which means the Department of State anticipates substantial involvement in program direction and oversight during implementation.
What is the total funding amount available?
The total award ceiling is $6,600,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency expects to make one award under this competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Institutions of higher education are excluded.
Are universities or colleges allowed to apply?
No. Institutions of higher education are explicitly excluded from the eligible applicant pool for this opportunity.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing is associated with CFDA number 19.415.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 21, 2022.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 25, 2022.
What major components is the funded project expected to deliver?
Based on the opportunity description, the funded project is expected to manage and deliver the fellowship program at scale by combining recruitment and selection, structured exchange programming, network-building, and sustained post-fellowship engagement, including maintaining ongoing alumni connections.
What ongoing engagement mechanisms are mentioned beyond the fellowship itself?
The opportunity mentions an open, active online YLAI Network and continued engagement through U.S. embassies to support longer-term collaboration and connection after the formal fellowship period ends.
What is meant by maintaining "ongoing alumni engagement"?
In this opportunity, ongoing alumni engagement refers to keeping fellows connected and involved after the fellowship period ends so the program continues to function as a longer-term platform for collaboration, relationships, and regional network-building.
What is the overall intent of funding a single implementer?
The grant is intended to fund a single nonprofit implementer to manage and deliver the YLAI Fellowship Program at scale, coordinating recruitment and selection, structured exchange activities, network-building, and continued engagement to sustain a regional entrepreneurship community.
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