FY 2026 YLAI Fellowship Program Cooperative Agreement Opportunity
Summary
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is seeking proposals for a cooperative agreement to manage the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. The program aims to foster business partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere and U.S. companies, with approximately $23.6 million in anticipated funding.
What changed
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to implement the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. This initiative seeks to advance U.S. economic interests by connecting emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere with U.S. businesses through a five to six-week fellowship. The program, which has an anticipated award range of $7.875 million to $23.625 million, directly supports U.S. foreign policy objectives by strengthening commercial ties and promoting American values of entrepreneurship.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits (non-higher education with 501(c)(3)), and public and private institutions of higher education. The application deadline is June 5, 2026. Interested parties should refer to the full announcement on Grants.gov for detailed requirements and application procedures. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017987.
What to do next
- Review the full FY 2026 YLAI NOFO document for detailed requirements.
- Prepare and submit proposals through Grants.gov by the June 5, 2026 deadline.
- Ensure eligibility criteria (nonprofit or higher education institution) are met.
Source document (simplified)
FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program. YLAI advances U.S. economic interests and leadership by fostering business partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere and U.S. companies. The program combines in-person and technology-driven engagement, an active alumni network, and ongoing collaboration with U.S. embassies to promote U.S. commercial priorities, create new opportunities for American companies in key markets, and increase public awareness of American business leadership. YLAI directly supports U.S. national security and the Administration’s foreign policy objectives by strengthening commercial ties, expanding U.S. exports, and promoting American values of entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and innovation throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The FY 2026 program will bring approximately 250 participants from the Caribbean and Latin America for a five to six-week fellowship, including orientation, tailored U.S. business placements, entrepreneurial training, a closing event, and post-program alumni activities. Approximately 100 U.S. participants will travel overseas to support Fellows’ action plans and develop networks that support American economic growth.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Please see full announcement.
Grantor contact information
Description
Susannah Wood
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FY26YLAINOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 05:20 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 626 KB (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 05:21 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 626 KB (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 05:21 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Closing: June 5, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$23,625,000
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$7,875,000
Award Minimum
$7,875,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017987
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Please see full announcement.
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
March 26, 2026
Archive date:
July 5, 2026
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