The Embassy of the United States in Cuba announced the opening of the call for applications for the Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI) program edition 2027, aimed at independent Cuban entrepreneurs residing both on the island and in any other country in the Americas.
The application period runs from October 9 to November 8, 2026, closing at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The final results of the selection process are expected by the end of February 2027.
The program is open to young individuals aged 25 to 35 years who have successfully managed a business or social entrepreneurship for at least two years. Proficiency in spoken, written, and reading English is also required, along with eligibility for a U.S. J-1 visa without being a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
The Embassy specified that individuals with dual nationality—outside of the U.S.—can also participate. "Open to independent Cuban leaders and entrepreneurs, whether living on the island or residing in any other country in the Americas," the diplomatic mission noted in its publication.
The program lasts six weeks and includes a virtual preparation phase followed by four weeks of in-person placement at a U.S. company or organization. Each participant develops a Business Leadership Action Plan with their host organization, aiming to implement it upon returning to their home country.
The application is completely free and is done exclusively through the official IREX portal. Applications submitted via email, postal mail, or fax will not be accepted.
IREX is an international nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C., dedicated to international development and strengthening civil society. The Department of State designated it as the official implementer of the program in July 2019.
YLAI was launched by the government of Barack Obama in April 2015 as part of a diplomatic rapprochement with Latin America that also included the reestablishment of relations with Cuba that same year. Since then, Cuba has been one of the participating countries, reflecting Washington's interest in supporting the independent private sector on the island outside the regime.
The call adds to other recent initiatives by the Embassy aimed at the private sector and Cuban civil society, such as the financing program "Towards a Free and Prosperous Cuba" announced last June, in the context of a deep economic crisis on the island where the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises sector has grown since the reforms of 2021 but faces serious institutional limitations.
The Cuban entrepreneurs seeking to survive with limited internal support see initiatives like YLAI as a way to strengthen their skills and establish professional networks outside of state control.
"Since 2015, more than 1,750 young leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada have strengthened their ideas, expanded their leadership, and established valuable networks thanks to the program," the Embassy emphasized, also highlighting the collective impact of the initiative: "With YLAI, you will not only grow your project: you will also actively contribute to the development of your community."
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