YSEALI Academic Fellows Program 2027

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program (YSEALI AFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. Its purpose is to strengthen leadership among young people in Southeast Asia while building stronger connections between the United States and the region.

Selected fellows travel to the United States for an intensive approximately five-week programme hosted at an American university or college. The experience includes an academic residency, leadership development, community activities, academic field experiences and a closing component.

For 2027, applicants rank four programme themes:

• Liberty and Freedom
• Natural Resources
• Economic Prosperity
• Peace and Security

Successful applicants are assigned to one theme and one U.S. institute; applicants cannot choose a particular host university.

The programme is intended for emerging young leaders who demonstrate interest in one or more themes, leadership potential and a commitment to applying what they learn when they return home.

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old by the application deadline.
• Normally be 18–25 years old; exceptional candidates over 25 may still be considered if they meet all other requirements.
• Be a citizen of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam.
• Be physically residing in an ASEAN member state through the start of the selected fellowship.
• Be a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student at an institution of higher learning, or have completed an undergraduate degree within the previous four years.
• Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Not be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
• Not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. Government.
• Not previously have participated as a YSEALI Academic Fellow.
• Be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
• Be prepared to participate fully in the intensive programme and associated activities.

2027 Country Restriction

Citizens of Myanmar/Burma and Laos are not eligible for the 2027 U.S.-based YSEALI Academic Fellows Program because of current visa restrictions. The official programme states that this restriction is based on citizenship rather than residence.

Selected Fellows receive:

• Fully funded participation in the approximately five-week U.S. exchange.
• International travel costs covered by the U.S. Department of State.
• Round-trip airfare for the official programme dates.
• U.S. J-1 visa costs covered.
• Basic living costs in the United States covered.
• Academic study at a U.S. university or college.
• Leadership-development activities.
• Community-engagement activities.
• Academic field experience.
• Cultural and educational activities.
• Cross-cultural networking with other young Southeast Asian leaders.
• Closing programme activities and continued access to the wider YSEALI network.

Initial Application

The online application requests information including:

• Personal and contact information.
• Date of birth.
• Citizenship and residency information.
• Educational background.
• Undergraduate enrolment or graduation information.
• Graduate education where applicable.
• Work experience, if applicable.
• English-language self-assessment.
• Previous international and U.S. travel experience.
• Preferred 2027 cohort.
• Ranking of the four YSEALI themes.
• Two application essays of approximately 350–400 words each.
• Certification that the information and written responses are accurate and original.

Applicants who have taken IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or another English examination may provide their results, but an English-language test is not required to apply.

If Selected

Selected Fellows will later be required to provide documentation verifying:

• Age.
• Citizenship.
• Residency.
• An eligible-country passport.
• Other documents needed for the J-1 visa and programme travel arrangements.

A valid passport is not required at the initial application stage. Selected Fellows must later meet the passport requirements specified by the programme.

The programme identifies desirable candidates who:

• Demonstrate interest, knowledge or relevant experience connected to one or more fellowship themes.
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, workplace or community.
• Show genuine interest in learning about the United States.
• Want to strengthen relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia.
• Are ready to participate fully in an intensive academic and community programme.
• Intend to return home and apply the leadership skills and experience gained through YSEALI.
• Have little or no previous study or travel experience in the United States.
• Can communicate effectively in English.
• Perform strongly during the interview if selected as a semi-finalist.

• Experience a fully funded academic exchange in the United States.
• Develop practical leadership skills.
• Study a major regional or global theme in depth.
• Gain exposure to U.S. universities, communities and institutions.
• Participate in community service and academic field experiences.
• Build connections with young leaders from across Southeast Asia.
• Join the wider YSEALI alumni network.
• Develop ideas that can be applied to communities after returning home.