YTILI Fellowship Program for Entrepreneurs in Europe

YTILI uses entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment to promote mutual understanding, enhance business and leadership skills, and build lasting partnerships between business leaders from Europe and the United States. YTILI will empower a new cohort of young European business and social entrepreneurs to grow their ventures, foster global partnerships, and positively impact the economic development of their communities.

The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) is a two-way U.S. Department of State 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. Through intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise and further enhance their leadership capabilities, YTILI provides emerging European entrepreneurs leaders with the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences in, and exposure to, U.S. public and private sector offices working on a variety of issues related to entrepreneurship, innovation, and transatlantic connections. YTILI is planned to be administered as a hybrid program, which will include virtual activities and a U.S.-based exchange. Applicants must have reliable internet connectivity to participate in the virtual activities.

Benefits

• Each selected YTILI Fellow will:
  • Partake in virtual leadership and professional development activities throughout the program.
  • Be matched with a three-week, full-time fellowship placement host in a U.S. organization focused on issues relating to the Fellow’s work at home.
  • Gain first-hand knowledge about U.S. business institutions and build relationships with American counterparts.
  • Receive comprehensive on-program support. Travel and living arrangements will be covered as well as emergency health benefits on program.
  • Become part of a prestigious alumni network with access to valuable resources and an international network of like-minded professionals.

Program Specifications

• The Fall 2025 Program will consist of the following elements:
  • Entrepreneurship and Professional Development Curriculum:
    • The program will begin with a virtual program launch to provide an overview of the virtual activities
    • Fellows will participate in on online entrepreneurship course designed to strengthen competencies in networking, leadership, management, and business
    • Fellows will participate in a professional development session and one-on-one calls with American experts prior to the U.S.-based exchange.
  • Professional Fellowship:
    • Fellows will participate in a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation as well as an arrival orientation and integrated professional study tour in a U.S. city
    • Fellows will spend three weeks in an individually tailored fellowship experience working in a U.S. placement host organization
    • Fellows will participate in a community service opportunity to engage with a U.S. community and participate in civic engagement
    • Fellows will develop a follow-on Action Plan proposal to complete a project that meets a specific objective and builds on their participation in the YTILI Fellowship Program.
  • Closing Program:
    • At the conclusion of the fellowship, Fellows will participate in a program-wide conference in Washington, DC
    • The closing program will bring together Fellows for the opportunity to network and collaborate
    • The closing program offers exposure to speakers and workshops designed to further Fellows’ professional competencies.
  • Alumni Engagement Opportunities:
    • Fellows will design follow-on Action Plans to address challenges encountered in their home community
    • Fellows will be eligible to invite a U.S. placement host from the fellowship placement to implement a Reciprocal Exchange Project in the Fellow’s home community
    • Fellows will be eligible to participate in Regional Alumni Accelerator Workshops.

Eligibility Criteria

• The YTILI Fellowship Program is the U.S. Department of State’s flagship program for emerging entrepreneurs from Europe.
• Fellows are young (25-35 year-old) mid-level professionals who have active and innovative roles in their local business economy or entrepreneurial community.

For more information, visit United States Department of State.