Applications are now open for the 2023 cohort of the U.S. Department of State’s Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) for emerging entrepreneurs from Europe.
The 2023 YTILI Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, includes a five-month virtual entrepreneurship curriculum and a four-week Fellowship experience with a U.S. company. Chosen from a competitive applicant pool, the 60 YTILI Fellows represent 37 European countries and reflect a wide variety of industry sectors. The program is a collaborative, enriching experience that combines entrepreneurship training with leadership development and networking opportunities.
The YTILI Fellows Program is a two-way exchange program designed to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, develop sustainable partnerships between U.S. and European entrepreneurs and innovators, promote regional integration and cooperation in Europe, and encourage European businesses, governments and civil society to develop their innovation ecosystems. The program includes a customized virtual YTILI entrepreneurial curriculum; a fellowship with a business or organization in one of nine U.S. cities; opening and closing conferences; and alumni engagement opportunities. The 2024 YTILI Fellowship Program will begin with the virtual curriculum in the Winter of 2024 with the U.S. fellowship scheduled for Spring 2024.
YTILI Fellows should be passionate about his or her business or social ventures and driving innovative and positive change in their home communities. They encourage you to apply if you would like to gain professional experience, develop transatlantic relationships, and scale your business or social venture at home.
YTILI Program Goals
Mutual Understanding
Transatlantic Partnership Building
Leadership & Entrepreneurial Skill Development
Sustainable Professional Exchange & Collaboration
Target Countries
Be a citizen of, and currently residing in, one of the 45 participating countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Eligibility Criteria
Public applications are accepted.
Applicants must:
Be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application.
Be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
Have a demonstrated track record of successfully growing their own business or social venture for at least two (2) years.
Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Not be a U.S. government employee.
Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexuality, national origin, disability or any other protected characteristic as established by U.S. law.
Applicants with disabilities are eligible and encouraged to apply for the YTILI Fellowship Program.
Criteria
The YTILI Fellowship Program is an open, merit-based competition. There is no cost to apply.
The YTILI Fellowship Program candidate selection committee will use the following criteria to evaluate applications and interviews:
Demonstrated understanding of how your personal and professional goals align with program objectives.
Demonstrated professional entrepreneurial experience and knowledge.
Demonstrated leadership, social consciousness, and commitment to community or public service, mentorship, or volunteerism.
Demonstrated intercultural competence and preparedness for participation in a five-week U.S. experience.
Positive attitude and demonstrated initiative and perseverance.
Commitment to your home country and to applying entrepreneurial and leadership skills, experience, and knowledge to benefit your community and country.
