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

Background
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State invites proposals for the FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship. This program aims to advance U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific by developing a network of emerging leaders from ASEAN member states who share principles of liberty, opportunity, and self-reliance.

The initiative promotes free enterprise, open markets, and innovation to foster shared prosperity and support a secure, free, and open Indo-Pacific.

Grant Details
The YSEALI Professional Fellowship will involve designing and implementing professional fellowships and reciprocal exchanges for approximately 144 Fellows from Southeast Asia who will travel to the United States for five to six weeks of professional development.

Participants will be placed with U.S. public, private, and nonprofit institutions aligned with four strategic themes: Economic Prosperity, Strategic Energy and Minerals, Liberty and Freedom, and Peace and Security.

The program will culminate in a YSEALI Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C., where participants will share lessons learned. Following the U.S. fellowship, about 72 American professionals will travel to Southeast Asia on Reciprocal Exchanges to extend engagement and strengthen bilateral partnerships.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society organizations) as well as public and private educational institutions.

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and valid registration in SAM.gov. Proposals must comply with NOFO requirements; otherwise, they may be declared technically ineligible.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is 24 months.

Grant Value
The total anticipated award amount is approximately $4,467,000.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will primarily take place in the United States for the fellowship component, with reciprocal exchanges occurring in Southeast Asia.