YSEALI Academic Fellowships Program

Deadline: 31-May-22

The U.S Embassy in Cambodia is inviting applications for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) program to advance regional strategic goals, break down barriers that separate the next generation of leaders in Southeast Asia, and link those emerging leaders to the United States.

Themes 

• The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is 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 Fellowship will focus on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. 
• The five-week programs will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. During the academic residency, participants will also have opportunities to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom. If conditions allow, the Fellowship will include an educational study tour to other areas of the United States where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field. Note that if the program must take place virtually, Fellows will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries. 
• The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement will provide Fellows with an overview of how citizens have shaped US history, government, and society both as individuals and groups.  
• 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.

Benefits  

• All participants will receive the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit during the US-based in-person component, which provides coverage of up to $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and a $75 co- pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.

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 ECA’s commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities in all ECA programming. Host universities will provide special accommodations for YSEALI Academic Fellows with disabilities as needed. 
• Candidates nominated for this program must be: 
  • A YSEALI member – if you are not a YSEALI member yet, click here to register and become a member; 
  • A citizen of Cambodia 
  • 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 resident of Cambodia 
  • A full-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have graduated in the past four years; 
  • Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; 
  • Not a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States; 

For more information, visit https://kh.usembassy.gov/yseali-academic-fellowships/