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Apply for YTILI Fellowship Program Until February 6

Deadline to apply for professional exchange program for young European entrepreneurs is Monday, February 6, 2017, 5:00 p.m.

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 the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). 

YTILI empowers young European entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools, networks, and resources they need to grow their enterprises and contribute more fully to economic development and job creation, security, and good governance in the region.  YTILI is also a vehicle for building a transatlantic network of innovators that can contribute to on an ongoing policy dialogue that strengthens the transatlantic relationship.

In 2017, the YTILI Fellowship will engage up to 100 young European entrepreneurs in a series of professional development and leadership activities that are designed to support the growth and development of commercial and social business ventures in their home communities.  The fellowship includes an orientation program in Washington, DC, a two-week professional placement in a U.S. host city, a concluding summit in Europe, and online engagement-training opportunities. The 2017 YTILI Fellowship year runs from May 2017 to May 2018 with U.S. travel components planned for June and/or September 2017.

A detailed overview of the program elements, participation requirements, and expectations is available on the YTILI website.

Why apply?

• Gain professional experience, skills, and connections valuable to enhancing your business or social venture;
• Connect with a dynamic group of experts and mentors in the United States and Europe;
• Expand your professional network and develop relationships with peers and counterparts on both sides of the Atlantic;
• Explore the policy context, financial landscape, and networks of U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystems;
• Join a growing network of dynamic European entrepreneurs committed to enhancing the transatlantic relationship and contributing to the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems in their home communities.

Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process

The YTILI Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. The application period opens on Monday, January 9, 2017 and closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, February 6, 2017.   The online application portal can be accessed here.

To be eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 24 and 35 on January 9, 2017
• 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, 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, 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.

After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed and scored against the published evaluation criteria. Following the initial review, U.S. Department of State and GMF will select a group of semi-finalists to be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. Notification of the fellowship award will be made by the end of March. Further details on the selection process and application instructions are available on the YTILI website.

Inquiries regarding this program should be directed to ytili@gmfus.org.