Call for Applications: YLAI Fellowship Program 2026 Cohort Ambassadors

Introduction/Background for the Opportunity

The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is looking for organizations to function Cohort Ambassadors for the upcoming FY24 YLAI Fellowship Program. As the U.S. Department of State’s flagship entrepreneurship program for rising enterprise leaders and entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, YLAI provides a aggressive worldwide alternate expertise. Implemented by IREX, a non-profit primarily based in Washington D.C., this system depends on robust native partnerships to facilitate a cohesive cohort expertise and foster cross-cultural understanding by means of participating native cultural {and professional} actions. This is an distinctive alternative for organizations within the United States to contribute to significant cross-cultural entrepreneurial exchanges and achieve important visibility and community growth.

Detailed Information About the Opportunity

IREX is requesting purposes from organizations interested by taking part in a pivotal position within the YLAI Fellowship.

• Purpose of the Cohort Ambassador Role:

  Cohort Ambassadors are native companions primarily based in 18 goal cities throughout the United States. Their main obligations embrace:

  • Facilitating a cohesive cohort expertise for YLAI Fellows.
  • Fostering cross-cultural understanding by means of native cultural {and professional} engagements.
  • Showcasing American tradition and entrepreneurship to rising enterprise leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

• About the YLAI Fellowship Program (FY24 Cohort):

  • The YLAI Fellowship is a aggressive alternate program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
  • It is a hybrid program, combining digital and in-person elements.
  • Fellows will full an internet curriculum earlier than touring to the U.S. for in-person fellowship actions.
  • The in-person fellowship elements are scheduled from April twenty seventh to June third, 2026.
• Benefits for Cohort Ambassadors:

  Organizations serving as Cohort Ambassadors achieve substantial benefits:

  • Community Ties: Opportunities to create and strengthen enterprise group ties and capability.
  • Increased Visibility: Amplify their ecosystem of companions with elevated visibility.
  • Recognition: Gain recognition with the U.S. Department of State.
  • Network Exposure: Get publicity to the expansive YLAI Network, comprising greater than 1,750 Fellows and over 55,000 community members.
  • These advantages collectively permit Cohort Ambassadors to considerably develop their group’s attain whereas making a tangible contribution to worldwide entrepreneurial improvement.
• Eligibility Requirements for Organizations:

  IREX welcomes purposes from a various vary of organizations that may display:

  • A powerful community throughout totally different enterprise sectors inside their metropolis.
  • The capability to foster significant experiences of native U.S. tradition and entrepreneurship.
  • Traditionally, this position has been held by facilities for citizen diplomacy however has advanced to incorporate facilities for innovation, college departments, and enterprise capital funds. Ideal candidates usually possess various business connections.

• Award Information:

  • The most award ceiling for a Cohort Ambassador is as much as $28,000.

Timeline and Process

Organizations interested by changing into a YLAI Cohort Ambassador ought to notice the next key dates:

• Issue Date: May thirtieth, 2025
• Proposal Due Date: June thirtieth, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
• Anticipated Award Date: August fifteenth, 2025
• Virtual Q&A Session: IREX will host a digital Q&A session on the Request for Applications (RFA) course of on June 11, 2025, at 3:30 PM EST. This Zoom assembly will likely be recorded and shared with candidates.

How to Submit a Concept Note

To apply for the Cohort Ambassador position, organizations should submit their application supplies by way of e-mail:

• Download the RFA Document: For complete particulars on Cohort Ambassador roles and obligations, the fellowship timeline, particular application submission necessities (together with hyperlinks to application supplies), application analysis standards, and different subaward-related data, obtain the “YLAI FY24 Cohort Ambassador Request for Applications” doc.
• Submission: Send an e-mail with all of your application supplies hooked up to Sadie Traylor at straylor@irex.org.
• Subject Line: Applications should be obtained with the topic line “YLAI Fellowship Cohort Ambassador Application”.
• Technical Questions: For any questions, contact Sadie Traylor at straylor@irex.org.

Application Deadline

All application supplies should be obtained no later than June thirtieth, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.

Conclusion

The YLAI Fellowship Program’s name for Cohort Ambassadors provides a novel and impactful alternative for U.S.-based organizations to have interaction straight with rising enterprise leaders from throughout the Americas. By serving as native companions, Cohort Ambassadors not solely achieve important advantages by way of community growth and recognition but in addition play a vital position in fostering worldwide understanding and entrepreneurial development. Organizations with robust native networks and a ardour for cultural alternate are inspired to obtain the RFA doc and submit their purposes by the deadline.

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