Executive Summary:
The Professional Fellows Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.

S.

Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposal submissions for the FY 2020 Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Professional

credit:

Fellows Program.

YTILI will bring will bring leaders, ages 25-35 , to the United States from 45 countries in Europe.

YTILI is a two-way exchange program designed to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, develop sustainable partnerships between U.

S.

and European entrepreneurs and innovators, promote regional integration and cooperation in Europe, and encourage European businesses, governments and civil society to develop their innovation ecosystems.

The YTILI Professional Fellows Program will support at least 50 emerging European business and social entrepreneurs in a series of robust program activities in-person and virtually, including an opening summit, a four-week individually tailored fellowship placement with a U.

S.

business, and a closing program in Washington, D.C.

Upon the conclusion of the U.

S.

fellowship, at least 15 American participants will travel to select European cities for a minimum one-week reciprocal exchange to assist the YTILI Fellows with implementing business Action Plans and projects in their communities, as well as help contribute to lasting, substantive partnerships between U.

S.

and European professionals.

The YTILI Professional Fellows Program will also include follow-on alumni engagement activities.