The U.S. Consulate General Curacao is proud to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2025 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship. We are searching for four (4) entrepreneurs from Curacao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten to join our alumni network of over 1,500 business leaders, including 21 so far from the Dutch Caribbean.
YLAI is a fully funded five-week exchange program for entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders from Latin, America, the Caribbean, and Canada. YLAI provides hands-on experience, online coursework, and face-to-face training in the United States.
As a YLAI Fellow, you will participate in a virtual Opening Orientation prior to U.S. travel.
You will travel from your home country to a Welcome Event and then to cities across the United States where you will gain valuable professional development skills and experience at four-week professional placements with a mentor at U.S.-based company.
At the end of the four weeks, you will participate in the YLAI closing forum in Washington D.C., where you can network at events with business and social entrepreneurial leaders and U.S. government representatives. Members of the YLAI network support each other’s efforts to improve their own ventures, share best practices, and contribute to economic prosperity in their communities.
To qualify for YLAI, you must be an entrepreneur between the ages of 25 and 35, be a resident of Aruba, Curacao, or Sint Maarten, and can demonstrate a track record of successful growing business or social venture for the at least two years. Applicants must be proficient in English, must qualify for a J-visa, and must be available to travel to the United States in May – June 2025.
There is no fee to apply to become a YLAI Fellow. If selected for the YLAI Fellowship Program, the U.S. Government will cover all program costs including J-1 visa support, round-trip travel from participant’s home city to the United States and domestic U.S. travel, a limited accident and sickness benefit plan, and a housing and meal stipend during the program. For more information on eligibility and selection criteria visit https://ylai.state.gov/fellowship/
This exchange program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and designed to help young entrepreneurs become successful. The YLAI Network is a signature part of the United States government’s efforts to increase partnerships with future leaders to help promote economic growth and strengthen civil society. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in yourself, your business, and your community. Apply at https://ylai.state.gov/apply
Deadline for applications is June 5, 2024
