Purpose 

The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is the U.S. Department of State’s flagship entrepreneurship program for emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. YLAI is a competitive fellowship program structured as an international exchange funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by IREX, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. 

IREX is seeking applications for the Regional Events Partner role, an exciting opportunity for organizations with a proven track record of designing and executing interactive entrepreneurship-focused convenings. This subaward will support the planning and delivery of up to three in-person regional workshops that connect and strengthen the YLAI Alumni network. Events will bring together approximately 35 alumni per region and engage regional and U.S.-based entrepreneurs through sessions on financial readiness, fintech, market expansion, simulations, and more. 

Events will be tailored to each subregion’s entrepreneurial landscape, co-designed with YLAI alumni, and aligned with YLAI’s strategic goals to foster regional collaboration, learning, and leadership. Regional event will take place between February 2026 and February 2027, with planning beginning in Fall 2025. 

Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, a commitment to locally relevant entrepreneurship development, and experience delivering dynamic, skills-based convenings for emerging leaders. 

Eligibility requirements 

We welcome applications from a wide range of legally registered organizations that have a strong presence in Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean, with demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship programming and event management. Community-based organizations, civil society organizations, regional innovation hubs, non-profits, private enterprises, and academic institutions are encouraged to apply. 

Deadline 

Issue Date: July 24, 2025 

Proposal Due Date: August 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM local time 

Anticipated Award Date: October 6th, 2025 

Award Ceiling: $150,000 total; $75,000 per event ceiling 

How to submit an application 

Download the FY24 YLAI Regional Events Partner Subaward RFA document for more information on YLAI Regional Events Partner roles and responsibilities, program timeline, application submission requirements (with links to application materials), application evaluation, and other subaward-related details.  

If you are interested in furnishing this service, please send an email with your application materials attached to Juan Pablo Vivanco at alumni.ylai@irex.org. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the extended closing date indicated above with the subject line “YLAI Regional Events Partner Application”. 

Questions? 

Questions may be submitted to alumni.ylai@irex.org no later than August 4, 2025. Responses will be shared with all interested applicants by August 7, 2025.