YSEALI Academic Fellowships – Fall 2017

Application Deadline: May 21, 2017

The YSEALI Academic Fellowships are intensive short term academic institutes whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The Fellowship will focus on one of three themes: Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, and the five-week Institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. The Fellowship will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic study tour of approximately one week. During the academic residency, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom.

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 Institute will define civic engagement, examine its development in the U.S., and explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. Other topics such as civil rights, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, and media will be discussed. Fellows will also have the opportunity to leave the classroom to meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and not-for-profit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a visit to Washington, D.C. The Fall hosts will be:

The University of Massachusetts – Amherst

Northern Illinois University

The University of Nebraska – Omaha

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. The Institute will use experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current themes in the field, including natural resource management, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional forms), and water management and treatment. The issues will be explored from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and federal government policies and regulation. Finally, the Institute will explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, and draw comparisons between the United States and the participants’ home countries. Fellows will also have the opportunity to leave the classroom to meet with community leaders, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational tour that will take participants to another area of the U.S. where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a 3 day program in Washington, D.C. The Fall hosts will be:

East-West Center

The University of Montana

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development will provide Fellows with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches that are employed to address social issues. The Institute will review the development, history, challenges, and successes of social enterprises and community leaders, in the United States and globally. Topics may include, but are not limited to, 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. Students will also have the opportunity to leave the classroom to meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of nonprofit organizations. The academic residency will be complemented by an educational study tour that will take participants to New England and the Mid-Atlantic where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field. The Institute will then conclude with a 3 day program in Washington, DC. The Fall host will be:

The University of Connecticut

Who is eligible to apply?

Young leaders from ASEAN countries who are current undergraduate or graduate students, or have recently graduated.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants must be:

1. Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application;
2. A YSEALI member – if you are not a YSEALI member yet, click here to register and become a member;
3. A Cambodian citizen;
4. A full-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have graduated in the past four years;
5. Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
6. Eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa. (For information about the J-1 visa, please visit http://j1visa.state.gov/.)

What are the selection criteria?

1. Applicants should:Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, or Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development;
2. Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, place of work, and/or community;
3. Demonstrate a commitment or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
4. Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and ASEAN as a region;
5. Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and study tour;
6. Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the ASEAN region; and
7. Preferably have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.

How do I apply?

If you are already a member of YSEALI and would like to apply for this Fellowship, please submit your applications including a completed application form and supporting documents no later than May 21, 2017. The supporting documents may include your degrees/certificates, transcript, and TOEFL score report. They should be combined in one PDF file, and be submitted by email to the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Attn: YSEALI Academic Fellowship – Fall 2017, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The application form can be downloaded here (DOCX: 177 KB). 

Application Deadline: May 21, 2017.

More More detail: https://kh.usembassy.gov/yseali-academic-fellowships-fall-2017/