Deadline: December 10, 2026
Applications for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Exchange Program (YSEALI PE) 2027 are now open. The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Exchange (YSEALI PE) is a U.S. Department of State exchange program that advances U.S. strategic interests across Southeast Asia by developing a network of emerging leaders who share America’s founding principles of liberty, opportunity, and self-reliance, fostering shared prosperity in support of a secure, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
During the six-week exchange, participants work alongside U.S. public, private, and nonprofit organizations, gaining practical experience, exploring innovative approaches to complex issues, and developing networks that support long-term collaboration. The program also includes leadership development activities, and sustained alumni engagement designed to foster practical partnerships and lasting professional networks. Through these experiences, participants gain firsthand insight into U.S. approaches to innovation, entrepreneurship, governance, community leadership, and problem-solving while sharing their own expertise and perspectives with American counterparts.
Benefits
- If selected as a finalist, the U.S. Department of State will cover costs associated with international travel, visa, and living costs in the U.S. There are no required costs to participants.
Eligibility
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the eleven YSEALI nations (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam). Applicants living outside of the eleven eligible countries or on a long-term program will not be considered eligible to apply.
- Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the respective theme under which they are applying.
- Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.
- Be a mid-level professional, between 25 and 35 at the time of application.
- Be self-directed and adapt easily to new environments and working styles.
- Be able to identify an objective/project of their own selection that the applicant would like to complete in their workplace or community.
- Have demonstrated proficiency in written and oral English.
- Have demonstrated leadership promise in their countries’ political, economic, private and public sectors and are committed to implementing projects that foster collaboration with the United States and promote freedom, innovation, and good governance.
Application
Participants are selected through a merit-based selection process. This includes an extensive written and video application and an in-person interview. The selection of finalists is determined in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.
For more information, visit YSEALI.
