Call for Applications: Fall 2024 YSEALI Academic Fellowship (Philippines)

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines invites nominations for the Fall 2024 YSEALI Academic Fellowship from candidates from the Philippines interested in Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship & Economic Development. These five-week in-person programs will run in August and November 2024.

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature public diplomacy program, providing skills training to youth in Southeast Asia. YSEALI builds the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthens ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurtures a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.

Program Themes

• The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program that provides young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States on their chosen theme and enhances their leadership skills. The fellowship will focus on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship or Economic Development.
• The five-week programs include seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The classroom activities are complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities in local communities. The fellowship also includes an educational study tour to other areas of the United States to meet local, state, private, and non-profit organizations.
• 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. Fellows will also discuss tangential issues such as civil rights, social justice, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, and media will be discussed. Fellows will also meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations. Throughout the fellowship, fellows will develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities. The University of Nebraska – Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska) and Portland State University (Portland, Oregon) will each host one Institute.  The Fellowship on Civic Engagement will be held from September 28 to October 30, 2024.
• 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. Fellows will learn about current issues, including climate change, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, renewable energy generation, and water management through experiential learning techniques. Fellows will explore issues from numerous angles including grassroots activism and civic initiatives, impacts on marginalized communities, private sector approaches, global multilateral efforts, and federal government policies and regulation. Finally, the fellowship will explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society and draw comparisons between the United States and the fellows’ home countries. Fellows will meet with community leaders and representatives of non-profit organizations. The University of Montana (Missoula, Montana) and the East-West Center (Honolulu, Hawaii) will each host one Institute. The fellowship on Environmental Issues will be held from August 21 to September 25, 2024.
• The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development will provide fellows with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches 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 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. Fellows will meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The University of Connecticut (Storrs, Connecticut) and the University of Texas-Austin (Austin, Texas) will each host one Institute. The fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development will be held from October 1 to November 4, 2024.

Program Funding

• Through cooperative agreements with the host universities, the U.S. State Department will cover all participant costs, including program administration, international and visa travel, travel allowances, domestic travel and ground transportation, books and incidental allowances, and housing and subsistence.

Health Benefits

• All fellows will be enrolled in the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit plan 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• The YSEALI Academic Fellows should be either full-time undergraduate students or graduates from the past four years, who demonstrate leadership through academic work, community involvement, extracurricular activities, or professional work.
• Applicants must be:
  • Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application, although exceptional applicants over 25 may be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements
  • A citizen of the Philippines
  • A resident of the Philippines
  • A full-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or 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
  • Not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);
  • Not alumni of the YSEALI academic fellowship (including the hybrid program)
• Applicants must:
  • 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
  • Commit to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the region of Southeast Asia
  • Have no (or very minimal) prior study or travel experience in the United States.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.