What is YSEALI?

The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program brings undergraduates or recently graduated students
between the ages of 18 and 25 to the United States for a five-week institute held on the campus
of a U.S. college or university. Academic institutes cover the following YSEALI themes:

Civic engagement
Environment and natural
resources management
Entrepreneurship and
economic development

These five week institutes, held on the
campus of a U.S. university or college,
will include an academic residency,
leadership development, an educational
study tour, local community service activities, and opportunities to engage with American peers.
The program will conclude in Washington, D.C., to allow for engagement with policymakers,
governmental representatives, businesses, and think tanks.

Young leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries who members that are current undergraduate or
graduate students or recently graduated. Participants are selected by their local embassy
based on their background, experience, leadership record, and commitment to service.

Selection Criteria
Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and track record in their university, place of
work, and/or community;
Demonstrate knowledge, or professional experience in one of the YSEALI themes: civic
engagement, environment and natural resources management, or entrepreneurship and
economic development;
Demonstrate a commitment to community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service,
and study tour;
Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training
to benefit their community, country, or the ASEAN region; and
Preferably have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.