The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is a professional development exchange program for the best and brightest community leaders from Southeast Asia, working in the fields of civic engagement, NGO management, economic empowerment, governance, legislative process, environmental and natural resources management. The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program provides participants a month-long fellowship at U.S.-based non-profit or other organizations, government offices or legislative bodies. Fellows will work with community leaders to enhance their practical expertise, leadership skills and professional contacts to address issues in their home communities.
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. Through a variety of programs and engagements, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community.
The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is part of the broader Professional Fellows exchange program. For more information on the Professional Fellows Program, click here. For more on YSEALI, click here.
Program Length
5-6 weeksEligibility and Application Overview
Public applications are accepted.Participants must:
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Be community leaders, ages 25-35, currently employed and with at least two years of professional experience at the time of application;
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Have a track record of making an impact in their community, institution or company;
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Be proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application;
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Be a citizen of, and currently residing in, one of the ten ASEAN member nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam).
Country-Specific Information
Applicants are limited to applying to only one exchange listed below.
Civic Engagement: An exchange focused on management of civil society-based organizations for young leaders.
Implementing Partner: University of Montana
Application Dates: February 1 - March 31, 2020
- Apply at University of Montana
Economic Empowerment: An exchange focused on economic empowerment for young professional leaders.
Implementing Partner: American Councils
Application Dates: February 1 - March 31, 2020
- Apply at American Councils
Governance and Society: An exchange focused on legislative process and governance for young local political and policy leaders.
Implementing Partner: American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
Application Dates: February 1 - March 31, 2020
Sustainable Development and the Environment Implementing Partner: An exchange focused on environmental sustainability for young environmental professionals.
Implementing Partner: International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Application Dates: SFebruary 1 – March 31, 2020
