FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship is a flagship exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically through its Office of Citizen Exchanges. This initiative is designed to strengthen U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region by cultivating a robust network of emerging leaders from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These emerging professionals, known as YSEALI Fellows, share American values such as liberty, opportunity, and self-reliance and engage in professional exchanges in the United States to build leadership skills and develop lasting cross-national partnerships. With a total anticipated funding of approximately $4,467,000, the YSEALI Professional Fellowship Program (YSEALI PFP) will support approximately 216 participants over a 24-month period. Each year, two cohorts of about 144 Southeast Asian leaders will take part in U.S.-based professional fellowships lasting five to six weeks. These fellowships will focus on four thematic areas central to U.S. foreign policy: Economic Prosperity, Strategic Energy and Minerals, Liberty and Freedom, and Peace and Security. In addition, approximately 72 American professionals will participate in reciprocal exchanges by traveling to Southeast Asia to reinforce bilateral cooperation and support follow-on project development. Program activities are structured to include virtual pre-departure orientations, a professional study tour, customized fellowship placements across public, private, and nonprofit institutions, and a capstone YSEALI Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C. Fellowship placements are individually tailored to match the participants’ professional backgrounds and interests, while aligning with U.S. strategic themes. The program also integrates mentorship, community engagement, alumni programming, and a mini-grants initiative to support follow-on projects after participants return to their home countries. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, think tanks, educational institutions, and civil society organizations with at least four years of experience in international exchange programming. The recipient organization is expected to manage all logistical and administrative aspects of the fellowship, including application system development, recruitment, travel arrangements, host organization outreach, and performance monitoring. Although cost sharing is encouraged, there is no minimum requirement. Applications must comply with all format and content guidelines and include SF-424 forms, a detailed budget, budget narrative, executive summary, and a proposal narrative. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 20, 2026, via Grants.gov. The anticipated award announcement is scheduled for September 15, 2026. Key contacts for applicant inquiries include Program Officer Davron Mirsagatov ([email protected], 202-632-2718) and Branch Chief Dawnjalice Brown ([email protected]). All proposals must align with the strategic objectives of the U.S. Department of State and adhere to all applicable federal requirements, including SAM.gov registration and J-1 visa regulations. The YSEALI PFP is expected to recur annually, providing ongoing opportunities for U.S. and ASEAN professionals to collaborate on regional challenges. The program's comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework includes detailed performance indicators and reporting through the State Department’s MyGrants system, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and alignment with American foreign policy goals.

Applicants should highlight experience in exchange programming, clear alignment with U.S. policy goals, and robust monitoring plans.