FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), is a premier exchange initiative designed to foster leadership development and strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia. This program is part of ECA’s broader public diplomacy strategy to cultivate future leaders who can contribute to regional stability, prosperity, and collaboration. Targeting undergraduate students and recent graduates aged 18–25 from ASEAN member countries, the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program offers an intensive, immersive educational experience in the United States, rooted in core democratic principles and sector-specific expertise. The FY 2026 opportunity invites proposals for one cooperative agreement, totaling approximately $4.3 million, to design, implement, and manage up to eight academic institutes in 2027. These institutes will focus on four thematic areas: Economic Prosperity, Liberty and Freedom, Natural Resources, and Peace and Security. Each of the eight institutes—four in spring and four in fall—will be hosted by U.S. academic institutions and include about 22–24 Fellows per cohort, totaling approximately 185 participants. Institutes will feature a four-week academic residency and a one-week field experience, culminating in a YSEALI Fellows Forum held in Washington, DC. The selected recipient will be responsible for the full spectrum of program operations, including managing subawards to partner institutions (if not delivering all institutes directly), coordinating travel and logistics, developing a recruitment and outreach plan in collaboration with U.S. embassies and consulates, and supporting a competitive application and selection process. In addition to administering the academic institutes, the awardee must manage a reciprocal exchange component, enabling up to 25 U.S. students or young professionals to travel to ASEAN countries and engage with YSEALI alumni on joint initiatives. Applicants must be U.S.-based not-for-profit organizations or higher education institutions with 501(c)(3) status and at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. The cooperative agreement includes substantial involvement from ECA, which will collaborate on participant selection, outreach strategy, and institute content. The performance period is anticipated to be 18–24 months, beginning around July 31, 2026, with potential for renewal for two additional fiscal years pending performance and funding availability. Applications are due by May 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and must be submitted through Grants.gov. A complete application includes the SF-424, executive summary, detailed proposal narrative, line-item budget, budget narrative, and other standard components as outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). There is no mandatory cost-sharing requirement, but it is encouraged. Applications will be reviewed competitively based on program quality, institutional capacity, monitoring and evaluation plans, and cost-effectiveness. Direct questions about the opportunity to Sarah McLewin at [email protected] or call 202-655-1596. The YSEALI Academic Fellows Program aims to deepen cultural understanding, promote democratic values, and enhance leadership capabilities among young Southeast Asian leaders while fostering strong international networks that extend beyond the exchange experience. The program is authorized under the Fulbright-Hays Act and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives through sustained engagement with the next generation of regional influencers.

Ensure application is complete and technically eligible—submit only one proposal or risk disqualification. Address ECA review criteria fully.