What if you could spend five weeks in the United States developing your leadership skills, studying alongside emerging leaders, and exploring American communities — with the major programme costs covered?
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program 2027 is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored exchange programme for young leaders from eligible Southeast Asian countries. Fellows participate in academic seminars, leadership activities, community engagement and educational travel in the United States.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Academic & Leadership Exchange
- Host: U.S. Department of State / YSEALI
- Duration: Approximately 5 weeks
- Location: United States
- Format: In-person
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Application Fee: $0
- Age: 18–25
- Nationality: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
- Academic Status: Undergraduate students or recent undergraduate graduates
- Language: Strong English proficiency
- Themes: Civic Engagement, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Natural Resources, Society & Governance
- Deadline: October 12, 2026
- Cohorts: Spring & Fall 2027
What Is the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program?
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program (AFP) brings emerging leaders from Southeast Asia to the United States for an intensive academic and cultural exchange.
The programme combines academic learning with practical leadership development, community activities and educational travel.
Participants choose a major thematic area and explore it through seminars, workshops and interactions with American communities and institutions.
Choose Your Academic Theme
Fellows participate around one of four broad themes:
Civic Engagement
Explore community participation, leadership and approaches to strengthening civic life.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Examine entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems and approaches to developing solutions to social and economic challenges.
Natural Resources
Study environmental issues, sustainability and approaches to responsible resource management.
Society & Governance
Explore governance, social institutions and contemporary issues affecting communities and societies.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
The programme is described as fully funded.
Support includes:
- International round-trip airfare
- Domestic travel associated with the programme
- Accommodation
- Meal support
- Academic programme costs
- J-1 visa and SEVIS-related costs
- Accident and sickness insurance
Participants should still carefully review the official programme terms for any personal expenses that are not covered.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is designed for young emerging leaders from eligible Southeast Asian countries.
Applicants must generally:
- Be 18–25 years old by the relevant deadline
- Be a citizen and permanent resident of an eligible participating country
- Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate programme or have recently completed an undergraduate degree
- Demonstrate strong English communication skills
- Show interest and experience relevant to one of the programme’s thematic areas
Eligible Countries
The provided programme information lists:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
The eligibility rules should be checked against the official 2027 call before applying, particularly for country-specific restrictions.
2027 Application Deadline
October 12, 2026 — 20:00 WIB
The provided information indicates that this application window covers both Spring and Fall 2027 cohorts, rather than having a separate later application round.
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