The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program 2027 is now accepting applications from eligible young leaders across Southeast Asia for a fully funded, approximately five-week academic exchange in the United States.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program brings undergraduate students and recent graduates to the United States for an intensive academic and cultural exchange.
The 2027 application cycle covers both Spring and Fall cohorts, with the Spring program expected to run from April 1 to May 5, 2027, and the Fall program expected to run from September 16 to October 20, 2027. The application deadline is October 12, 2026 at 20:00 WIB.
YSEALI AFP is designed to develop leadership capabilities among young people in Southeast Asia while strengthening connections between the United States and the region.
Selected Fellows participate in a structured U.S. exchange that combines academic learning with community engagement and practical experiences. The approximately five-week programme includes an academic residency, community service activities, academic field experience and a closing workshop.
The programme also includes a Reciprocal Exchange component through which American participants travel to Southeast Asia. Fellows can participate in one of four thematic areas hosted at universities and colleges across the United States.
YSEALI Academic Fellowship Themes
Applicants can express their interests across the programme’s four themes:
Economic Prosperity
This theme explores business models, technological innovation, labour markets and economic policies. Topics can include artificial intelligence and technology frameworks, supply chains, investment, financial literacy, organizational development, entrepreneurship and corporate governance.
Liberty and Freedom
The Liberty and Freedom theme examines concepts including freedom of speech, liberty, self-governance, civic engagement and public advocacy. Fellows explore how citizens and groups have influenced U.S. history, government and society.
Natural Resources
This theme focuses on agriculture, fisheries, energy, critical minerals and environmental resource management. Fellows may explore issues including energy security, supply chains, disaster preparedness, mining, water and waste management and sustainable farming.
Peace and Security
The Peace and Security theme examines approaches to local, regional and international security. Topics can include disaster response, public health security, cybersecurity, trafficking, transnational crime and border security.
YSEALI Academic Fellowship 2027 Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy the programme’s eligibility requirements. For the 2027 U.S.-based Academic Fellows Program, applicants must:
- Be 18 to 25 years old by October 12, 2026. Exceptional applicants over 25 may be considered if they meet the other requirements.
- Be a citizen of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam.
- Be physically residing in an ASEAN member state from October 12, 2026 through the beginning of the selected Fellowship.
- Be a current full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated with an undergraduate degree within the last four years.
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English.
- Not be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or green-card holder.
- Not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. Government.
- Not be a previous YSEALI Academic Fellows Program alumnus.
- Be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
For 2027, citizens of Myanmar and Laos are not eligible for the U.S.-based Academic Fellows Program because of current visa restrictions. The restriction is based on citizenship rather than country of residence.
Applicants do not need to have a valid passport at the time of application, although selected Fellows must have an eligible-country passport for travel to the United States.
Desired Qualifications
In addition to the formal eligibility requirements, YSEALI looks for applicants who demonstrate leadership potential and engagement with issues connected to one or more Fellowship themes.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant academic, professional or community experience, a serious interest in learning about the United States, and an interest in strengthening relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia.
Applicants should also be prepared to participate fully in the intensive programme and demonstrate a commitment to returning home and applying the knowledge and leadership skills gained through the Fellowship. Limited previous study or travel experience in the United States is also identified as a desired qualification.
What Does the YSEALI Fellowship Cover?
The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program is fully funded for selected Fellows. There is no participation fee.
The U.S. Department of State covers costs associated with international travel, the J-1 visa and basic living expenses in the United States. Visa fees are paid by the programme, meaning selected Fellows do not pay the programme’s visa costs.
The programme is intensive, and Fellows are expected to participate fully in scheduled sessions, site visits, cultural activities, community activities and other programme components.
How to Apply for YSEALI Academic Fellowship 2027
Applications are submitted online through the official Submittable application platform. The programme states that the downloadable application PDF is provided for reference only; applications submitted through other methods will not be considered.
Applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Check eligibility.
Confirm age, citizenship, residency, education, English-language proficiency and J-1 visa eligibility before beginning the application.
Step 2: Review the Fellowship themes.
Applicants interested in more than one theme can indicate their preferences. Applicants will rank the themes in their application, while final theme assignments are made by the programme.
Step 3: Prepare the application.
Complete the application in English and provide the requested information about academic background, leadership, community involvement, interests and experience.
Step 4: Submit through Submittable.
Applications must be submitted through the official online application platform. Only one application may be submitted by each applicant.
Step 5: Review before submission.
Applicants should carefully check all responses before submitting because applications are final and cannot be edited after submission.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline.
The deadline is October 12, 2026 at 20:00 WIB. No extensions are offered after the stated deadline.
Important Application Notes
There is one application cycle for both the Spring and Fall 2027 cohorts. Applicants who want to participate in the Fall 2027 programme should apply during the current application period because there will not be a separate Fall 2027 application round.
The Fellowship is conducted entirely in English, and applications must also be submitted in English.
Applicants selected for the programme will subsequently undertake the necessary J-1 visa process. The Mansfield Center prepares the DS-2019, which is used to initiate the J-1 visa process through the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: YSEALI Academic Fellows Program 2027
Sponsor: U.S. Department of State
Administrator: Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, University of Montana
Location: United States
Duration: Approximately 5 weeks
Cohorts: Spring and Fall 2027
Spring dates: Expected April 1–May 5, 2027
Fall dates: Expected September 16–October 20, 2027
Funding: Fully funded
Age: Generally 18–25 by October 12, 2026
Eligible countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam
Application deadline: October 12, 2026 at 20:00 WIB
Young Southeast Asian students and recent graduates who meet the requirements can use the current application cycle to apply for this five-week U.S. academic exchange and leadership development programme.
