About this Program

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature public diplomacy program to provide skills training to youth in Southeast Asia. YESALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues. To this end, the YSEALI Fellowship brings exceptional young leaders from Southeast Asian countries to the United States to further develop their professional and leadership skills. The Study of the U.S. Branch implements the YSEALI Academic Fellowship aimed at young leaders ages 18-25.

Eligibility: 

To be eligible with this program, applicants must be: 

• A YSEALI member-if you are not a YSEALIA member yet, click here to register and become a member
• A citizen of Cambodia
• Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application, although exceptional applicants over 25 can be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements;
• A resident of Cambodia
• A full-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have graduated in the past four years;
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English;
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States;

Selection Criteria: 

• Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, or Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development;
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, place of work, and/or community;
• Demonstrate a commitment or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and Southeast Asia 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 region of Southeast Asia; and
• Preferably, have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States; and
• Underserved communities, including indigenous groups and candidates with disabilities, are highly encouraged to apply.

Program Benefits 

Participant who receives fully funded scholarship, the scholarship will include

• Program funding: the U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including international travel costs; technology allowances for the virtual program; travel allowances; program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.
• Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in shared or single university dorms on campus or full-service hotels within walking distance of most classroom activities. Male and female participants will be housed in separate quarters. In addition to regular group meals and a university meal plan, participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.  Special accommodations will be made available to the greatest extent possible.   Should a participant need to quarantine due to health and safety concerns, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and host institutions guidelines.
• Health Benefits:  All participants will receive the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit during the U.S.-based in-person component, which provides coverage of up to $100,000 with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and a $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program.  Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations.  ASPE also covers up to $500 for routine COVID-19 testing requirements in the United States.  COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE health benefits plan
• Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the Academic Fellowship will pivot to a virtual format. The virtual program would consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. To the extent possible, the virtual programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities. Participants would be expected to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their location.

Program Description and Themes

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.  The Fellowship will focus on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.

The five-week programs will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.  The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. 

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement will provide Fellows with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups.  The Fellowship will define civic engagement, examine its development in the United States, and explore topics such as active citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, and volunteerism.  Other topics such as civil rights, social justice, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, and media will be discussed. Fellows will meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations.

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Environmental Issues will explore the role that environmental policy has played in the economic and political development of the United States. The Fellowship will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including climate change, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, renewable energy generation, and water management and treatment. Fellows will explore the issues from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, impacts on marginalized communities, private sector approaches, global multilateral efforts, and federal government policies and regulation.

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development will provide Fellows with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches that are employed to address social and economic issues. The Fellowship will review the development, history, challenges, and successes of enterprises and community leaders, in the United States and globally. Topics include, but are not limited to, trade; investment; financial literacy; banking; microfinance; organizational development and management; grant writing; innovation; emerging markets and risk analysis; strategic business planning; corporate social responsibility; and women and minorities in entrepreneurship. Students will also meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of nonprofit organizations.  

How to Apply

The applicants can apply through the official website:

• Step 1: Download the application form
• Step 2: email completed form to YSEALICambodia@state.gov before or by Sunday, October 1, 2023

Application Timeline

Application deadline: 1 October 2023

Interview Period: 14-20 November 2023 (Only selected semi-finalists will be notified and contacted)

Announcement of selected finalists: February 2024

Participants travel to the U.S., subject to travel conditions: Spring 2024 (April-May timeframe)

Official Website:  https://kh.usembassy.gov/yseali-academic-fellowships/

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