Eligibility

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. The YTILI Fellowship Program is open to young entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria: 

• Are between 25 and 35 years of age at the time of the program (born on/after November 1, 1989 and no later than July 1, 2000)

• Are a citizen and resident of one of the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, or the United Kingdom. (Note: Citizens of eligible countries residing in a different eligible country due to specific geo-political reasons may apply and will be considered by the Department of State on a case-by-case basis).

• Business or social entrepreneur with a demonstrated track record of at least two years of experience successfully managing an entrepreneurial venture in their home countries.

• Demonstrated commitment to develop, enhance, or lead an existing venture. During the application process, successful candidates must provide a well-articulated action plan they will work to refine and for which they will seek support during their fellowships.

• Committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Are eligible and able to receive a U.S. J-1 Visa. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English.

• Are committed to returning to his or her home country after completion of the program. 

• Are not a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the United States or have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years. 

• Are not a U.S. government employee. 

• Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously participated in U.S. Government programs or spent significant amounts of time in the United States.

  Please note:
  YTILI Fellows are not allowed to bring dependents (including spouses and children) during the U.S. Fellowship and U.S. Conferences. 

  The U.S. Department of State and the Fall 2025 Partner, American Councils, reserve the right to verify the information included in the application. If there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible. If you do not meet the technical eligibility requirements for this program, we invite you to visit www.exchanges.state.gov or your home country's U.S. Embassy website for information on other U.S. Department of State exchange opportunities. 

  The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State strives to ensure that its efforts reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. The Bureau seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented audiences in all its grants, programs and other activities and in its workforce and workplace. Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, sex, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Bureau is committed to fairness, equity, and inclusion.