Published on Thursday, April 24, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The United States Embassy has announced that applications are now open for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2025.

The program will bring together 280 young entrepreneurs from 37 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. YLAI aims to strengthen participants' ability to launch and grow their business ventures while making meaningful contributions to social and economic development in their home communities.

Since its launch in 2015, more than 1,750 fellows from the region have participated in the YLAI program, gaining leadership and entrepreneurial experience through placements at businesses and organizations across the United States.

YLAI participants, or Fellows, take part in a four-week professional placement in U.S. cities where they are matched with organizations in their respective sectors. During this time, they develop and refine their Entrepreneurial Leadership Action Plan (E-LAP), which they are expected to implement upon returning to their home countries.

In addition to hands-on experience, Fellows engage in the YLAI Entrepreneurial Leadership Curriculum, both online and in person developed by IREX and Arizona State University (ASU). The curriculum combines technical entrepreneurship training with leadership development.

The program begins with a four-day Welcome Workshop in Houston, Texas, where Fellows are introduced to YLAI staff and receive program orientation, community guidelines, and logistical support.

At the end of the program, Fellows convene in Washington, D.C., for the YLAI Closing Forum. There, they participate in networking events with U.S. government representatives, business leaders, and social entrepreneurs.

After completing the program, YLAI alumni continue to engage with U.S. partners and benefit from ongoing professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Alumni also have the opportunity to host their U.S. counterparts in their home countries through the YLAI Outbound Exchange Program.

There is no fee to apply for the YLAI Fellowship. More information is available on the YLAI website.

YLAI is one of several U.S. initiatives currently available to Costa Ricans. Most recently, the U.S. Embassy also announced new opportunities for Costa Ricans to study in the United States through the Fulbright Program.

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