U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
YSEALI Professional Fellows Program
full · masters
- 5-6 weeksFellowship length in the United States
- 4 focus areasCivic, economic, governance and sustainability
- Age 25-35Eligible applicant age range
- 2 yearsMinimum professional experience required
- J-1 visaVisa support and costs covered
- ~EUR 4,000 (est.)Estimated living-cost support
At a glance
full
Funding
€8k
Max amount
Aug 1, 2026
Deadline
ASEAN member states (Southeast Asian nations)
Country
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Provider
The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is a fully funded, intensive fellowship in the United States supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. Selected fellows spend roughly five to six weeks placed at non-profit, public-sector or private-sector host organisations across the United States, working alongside American counterparts and attending workshops with leaders in their field. The program is built around four focus areas: Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Governance and Society, and Sustainable Development and the Environment. It is open to emerging leaders aged 25 to 35 who are citizens and residents of an ASEAN nation, have at least 2 years of professional experience and are currently employed. Funding covers international travel and living expenses, J-1 visa support and costs through the American Councils, health benefits, and cultural activities such as staying with an American host family. Because the per-fellow stipend is set per cohort, the figures shown here are estimates, so confirm the exact current-cycle benefits and deadline on the official YSEALI page before you apply.
What's covered
- International travel — Round-trip international airfare between the fellow's home country and the United States.
- Living expenses — Living expenses during the five-to-six-week fellowship, estimated at roughly ~EUR 4,000 (est.) overall though set per cohort.
- J-1 visa support — Assistance from the American Councils to obtain a J-1 visa, with visa costs and travel to the interview covered.
- Health benefits — Emergency health benefits for fellows during the program in the United States.
- Cultural program — Cultural activities including staying with an American host family and excursions, with total support estimated at over ~EUR 8,000 (est.) per fellow.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official YSEALI Professional Fellows Program platform during the open call.
- Review the eligibility criteria — Confirm you are an ASEAN citizen aged 25-35, proficient in English, and working in a relevant professional field.
- Prepare your documents — Gather a CV or resume, a personal statement of your background and goals, and professional letters of recommendation.
- Access the application platform — Visit the official YSEALI website or designated online platform and fill in your personal, academic and work details.
- Write a compelling essay — Write an essay covering your motivations, goals and how the fellowship will support your leadership and community impact.
- Submit application and supporting documents — Review for accuracy, upload your CV, personal statement and recommendation letters, and submit before the deadline.
Eligibility
Nationality and residenceCitizen and current resident of a Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nation.
AgeBetween 25 and 35 years old.
ExperienceAt least 2 years of professional experience and currently employed.
Sector and theme fitWorking in government, civil society or the private sector in a role relevant to the program themes.
English and citizenshipAble to read and write English; not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Applicants' professional experience should align with one of the four program focus areas. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not eligible to apply.
Eligible countries
ASEAN member states (Southeast Asian nations)
Deadlines
2026 cycle~1 August 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on their leadership potential, the relevance of their professional experience to the four program themes, the strength of their personal statement and essay, and their commitment to driving positive change in their community. Strong English ability and current employment in a relevant role are key requirements, and final selection is made by the program administrators in coordination with the U.S. Department of State.
Verified sources
- YSEALI Professional Fellows Program - official U.S. Mission to ASEAN pageasean.usmission.govofficial
About the provider
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government's flagship program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia, run by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program?
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It is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative.
How long is the fellowship?
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Fellows spend roughly five to six weeks placed at host organisations in the United States.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Citizens and residents of an ASEAN nation, aged 25 to 35, with at least 2 years of professional experience and currently employed.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. Applicants must be between 25 and 35 years old.
What are the focus areas?
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There are four: Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Governance and Society, and Sustainable Development and the Environment.
What does the program cover?
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It covers international travel, living expenses, J-1 visa support and costs, health benefits and cultural activities such as a host-family stay.
How much support do fellows receive?
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Living-cost support is estimated at around ~EUR 4,000 (est.), with total benefits estimated at over ~EUR 8,000 (est.) per fellow. Confirm on the official page.
Do I need work experience?
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Yes. You need at least 2 years of professional experience and must be currently employed in a relevant field.
Can U.S. citizens apply?
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No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for this program.
Is English required?
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Yes. You must be able to read and write English to take part in the fellowship.
How do I apply?
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You apply online through the official YSEALI Professional Fellows Program platform with a CV, personal statement, essay and recommendation letters.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is around 1 August 2026 (est.). Always confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official YSEALI page.