Grants / Department of State / Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs

DFOP0017987: FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)

Closed Closed June 5, 2026 Opportunity DFOP0017987 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales (DFOP0017180). Status: Closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left). It is in our archive of Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$7.9 million
• Award floor$7.9 million
• Total funding$23.6 million
• Expected awards1
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to nonprofits and colleges and universities.

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Please see full announcement.

More grants for nonprofits, colleges and universities.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges awards averaged $2.0 million; this notice allows up to $7.9 million per award.
• Most of the program's money (95% over five years) went to nonprofits.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Other.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DFOP0017180, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.