Closed · DFOP0017987 · CFDA 19.415 · Discretionary
FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)
Federal grant opportunity posted by Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs, cataloged on Grants.gov.
- $7.9M-$7.9M
- Award range
- Closed
- Status
- June 5, 2026
- Close date
- 1
- Expected awards
The verdict
FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is a closed discretionary listing from Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs that offered $7,875,000 -- $7,875,000 across 1 expected award. Future funding cycles may be published under the same CFDA number.
- $7.9M-$7.9M
- award range
- Closed
- application status
- 1
- expected award
- 19.415
- CFDA program
Opportunity snapshot. This Grants.gov announcement - FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) - is cataloged under number DFOP0017987 and tied to CFDA assistance listing 19.415, posted by Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Grants.gov currently shows the opportunity as closed, first posted on March 26, 2026. The funding category is Discretionary, delivered as a cooperative agreement.
Award economics. The award range on file is $7,875,000 -- $7,875,000. The agency has projected $23.6 million in total estimated funding for this announcement. It expects to issue 1 award. If the agency funds the expected 1 award from the $23.6 million estimated pool, the average award works out to roughly $23.6 million. Cost sharing is not required, so applicants do not need to commit matching funds to be competitive on this opportunity. Federal award ranges are often upper bounds; actual allocations reflect program appropriations, the strength of the applicant pool, and the evaluation committee's scoring.
Deadline and action path. This opportunity closed on June 5, 2026. Future funding cycles may be published under the same CFDA number, so monitoring the parent program page is the most reliable way to catch re-announcements. Every Grants.gov submission requires an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID. Review the Eligibility section below carefully, federal eligibility categories (nonprofit, state or local government, tribal, individual, educational institution, small business) have distinct registration and reporting requirements. Pre-application outreach to the listed agency contact is permitted and often welcomed, it helps clarify scope and scoring priorities. Before acting on the deadline or award figures above, verify them directly on the official Grants.gov listing, amendments can change dates and amounts after this page was last refreshed.
Award Range
$7,875,000 -- $7,875,000
Close Date
June 5, 2026
Posted
March 26, 2026
Est. Total Funding
$23,625,000
Expected Awards
1
Instrument
Cooperative Agreement
Description
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.
Eligibility
Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category codes 06, 12, 20, 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.
Official Listing on Grants.gov
View full details, application forms, and submission instructions.
Agency Contact
Susannah Wood
Key Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
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Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Grants.gov and SAM.gov and is for informational purposes only. Opportunity details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always verify current information directly on Grants.gov before applying. PlainGrants is not affiliated with any federal agency.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
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| Sources | the SAM.gov Assistance Listings and Grants.gov |