Launched in 2016, the Young Transatlantic Innovative Leaders Initiative Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) of the U.S. Department of State and is supported in its implementation by GMF. YTILI empowers young European and Eurasian entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools, networks, and resources they need to turn ideas into action and grow successful enterprises.

In 2018, the YTILI Fellowship will engage up to 70 young European and Eurasian leaders in a series of professional development and leadership activities to support the growth of commercial and social ventures in their home communities. By participating, fellows will:

• Convene in Portugal this summer to plan for their fellowship goals with a team of expert mentors, network with other European entrepreneurs, and hear from industry experts on best practices in diverse business topics.
• Take part in a week-long immersive U.S. experience in an emerging economy, in collaboration with local, expert mentors from business, government, and non-profit who are committed to developing the fellow’s venture.
• Travel to Washington, DC to engage in a transatlantic policy dialogue around issues of entrepreneurism and innovation with U.S government leaders and experts from diverse business and non-profit background.
• Access to a rich network of thought-leaders providing custom business advising via webinars and virtual roundtables.

A detailed overview of the program elements, participation requirements, and expectations is available on the GMF YTILI webpage: https://www.gmfus.org/ytili-fellowshi

Who is eligible to apply?

The YTILI Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. The application period started at January 29, 2018 and closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 2, 2018. The online application portal can be accessed here: https://share.america.gov/ytili/#fellowship

To be eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 24 and 35 by January 29, 2018
• Are a citizen of one of the 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, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom. Currently reside in one of the 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, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
• Are eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
• Have at least two (2) years of entrepreneurial/leadership experience with a startup business or social venture. — Are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• Are not a U.S. government employee. Are proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.

See what past YTILI Fellows have to say:

“YTILI was a great opportunity to expand my network and business relationships”– Blerina Ago (Albania), 2017 YTILI Fellow

“YTILI taught me to be courageous, encouraged me to follow my dreams, and in the end, even if I fail, I will simply be a wiser entrepreneur and a more experienced leader.” – Christina Athanasopoulou (Finland), 2017 YTILI Fellow

“The various meetings set by the GMF and the individual appointments I arranged for myself provided ample opportunity for me to practice my communication skills and to use some of the information from the DC Orientation about personal branding to create new connections and expand my network.” – Andrei Fratu, (Spain), 2017 YTILI Fellow