YSEALI Academic Fellows Program brings Southeast Asian undergraduates and recent graduates to the USA for a fully funded five-week academic exchange that builds leadership capabilities and fosters regional collaboration.
The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, providing academic residency, community service activities, academic field experience, and a Reciprocal Exchange component.
YSEALI Academic Fellows Program Benefits
- The fellowship has no participation fee.
- Visa fees will be paid by the program.
- Fellows’ travel costs will be covered by the U.S. Department of State.
- The program also covers basic living costs in the U.S.
- Each program includes an academic residency
- Community service activities
- Academic field experience
- A closing workshop
- A Reciprocal Exchange component that sends Americans to Southeast Asia.
YSEALI Academic Fellows Program Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be between 18 to 25 years old.
- Candidates should be citizens and residents of one of the countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
- Citizens of Burma and Laos are not eligible to apply for the 2027 U.S.-based YSEALI Academic Fellows Program.
- Applicants must be physically living in an ASEAN member state through the start of their chosen fellowship.
- Candidates should be full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate students from a college, university, or have graduated with their undergraduate degree within the last 4 years.
- Applicants must be proficient in English.
- Candidates must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
- Applicants must not be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government.
- They should not be alumni of the YSEALI Academic Fellows.
- Applicants should be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
Required Documents
- Documentation verifying your age, citizenship, and residency.
- Transcript till date.
- Passport.
How to Apply for YSEALI Academic Fellows Program?
- Apply Here
- YSEALI AFP application open now! Click here to apply!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program. These answers cover the program overview, eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on the official program information.
What is the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program?
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored initiative administered by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. It brings Southeast Asian undergraduates and recent graduates to the United States for a fully funded, five-week academic exchange focused on leadership, academic residency, and community service.
Who organizes and administers the program?
The program is sponsored and funded by the U.S. Government through the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, which oversees program logistics and partnerships with host institutions.
How long is the fellowship?
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program is a fully funded, five-week academic exchange held at a U.S. university or college. The program includes academic residency, community service activities, academic field experience, and a closing workshop.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes undergraduate students or recent graduates aged 18-25 from Southeast Asia. Applicants should be citizens and residents of eligible Southeast Asian countries and meet any additional requirements set by the program and host institutions.
What are the main components of the program?
Each program includes an academic residency, community service activities, academic field experience, a closing workshop, and a Reciprocal Exchange component that sends Americans to Southeast Asia, offering both academic and practical leadership experiences.
Is the program fully funded and what costs are covered?
According to the official program description, YSEALI AFP is fully funded. The program brings participants to the U.S. for a five-week exchange; additional specific funding details (visa, travel, living costs) are described in supplementary program materials.
Where in the USA does the program take place?
YSEALI Academic Fellows programs take place at U.S. universities or colleges. The program is offered at multiple host institutions across the country — the official site notes 8 host institutions participate in the program.
What themes can fellows study?
Fellows can study one of four YSEALI themes during their academic residency. The official site references four YSEALI themes that align with the program’s leadership and regional collaboration goals.
When is the application deadline?
The competitor listing for the program provides a deadline of 12 October 2026. The official site does not list a specific deadline on the pages provided, so applicants should confirm dates on the official application page.
How do I apply for the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program?
The official site provides application access via clearly marked links and buttons (for example, ‘Apply Here’ and ‘YSEALI AFP application open now! Click here to apply!’) that direct applicants to the program’s application page on the YSEALI AFP website.
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