YSEALI Academic Fellows Program

Deadline: 7-Nov-21

The U.S. Mission to ASEAN is seeking applications for Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

The Academic Fellowship will include a virtual academic residency and an integrated in-person experience approximately two to three weeks in length at a U.S. host institution. During the academic residency, participants will engage remotely from their home countries in Institute activities including academic sessions, site visits, leadership development exercises, and cultural activities.

Themes

The Fellowship will focus on one of three themes:

Civic Engagement: The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement will provide Fellows with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups. The Fellowship will define civic engagement, examine its development in the United States, and explore topics such as active citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, and volunteerism.
Environmental Issues: The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Environmental Issues will explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the United States. The Fellowship will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including climate change, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, renewable energy generation, and water management and treatment.
Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development will provide Fellows with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches that are employed to address social and economic issues. The Fellowship will review the development, history, challenges, and successes of enterprises and community leaders, in the United States and globally.

Program Information

Program Funding: Through cooperative agreements to the host universities, the U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including; international travel costs; technology allowances for the virtual program; travel allowances; program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.
Program Model: The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. To the extent possible, the virtual programming will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities.
Technology Requirements: In order to participate in the initial virtual program component in their home country, Fellows must have access to a computer and a stable internet connection.
Participation: Participants will be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation.
Housing and Meal Arrangements for the In-Person Component: During the in-person component, Housing will be in university dorms or university hotels. Fellows may be expected to share a room and bathroom with another student of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though Fellows may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000 with a $25 co-pay for the duration of the program.
Program Policy: Under no circumstances are Fellows allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the in-person exchange program or remain in the United States after its end date. Similarly, Fellows will not be permitted to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends while in the United States.
English-Language Ability: All candidates should be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidate Description and Qualifications:
- The YSEALI Academic Fellows are expected to be full-time undergraduate students from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have graduated in the past four years, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, extracurricular activities, or their profession. Their fields of study will be varied, and may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.
- Please note the U.S. Department of State’s commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities in all programming. Host universities will provide special accommodations for YSEALI Academic Fellows with disabilities as needed.
Applicants must be:
- Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application, although exceptional applicants over 25 can be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements;
- A citizen of one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste;
- A resident of one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste;
- A full-time undergraduate or graduate student; recent graduate of college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or young professional who has recently joined the workforce;
- Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
- Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.