Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

We have proudly hosted the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellows since 2016. During their four-week program, YLAI Fellows are paired with a local business or organization in Austin that serve as their Fellowship Placement Organization. These placements provide a collaborative environment where Fellows learn from local experts in their field and gain practical entrepreneurial experience. Each Friday, Fellows participate in cultural activities and networking opportunities led by their Cohort Ambassador. Fellows conclude their Fellowship with a Closing Forum in Washington, D.C., where they share their insights, participate in professional development, and connect with the broader YLAI network.

Placement hosts have an opportunity to apply for the Outbound Exchange Program with their Fellow, in which the Fellow and host create a project to enact in the Fellows country. If awarded, the host will travel to the Fellow’s home country to execute the project.

The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. The University of Texas at Austin is a sub-grantee of IREX and serves as a Cohort Ambassador for the YLAI Fellowship.