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FAQs on YSEALI Fellowships
22 MINUTE READ
May 14, 2021

Who may apply to be a YSEALI Fellow?
YSEALI Fellows are young leaders aged 18-35 who are citizens of and reside in an ASEAN country.  The Fellowship is divided into two tracks: YSEALI Academic Fellows and YSEALI Professional Fellows.

 

YSEALI Fellows are young leaders aged 18-35 who are citizens of and reside in an ASEAN country. The Fellowship is divided into two tracks: YSEALI Academic Fellows and YSEALI Professional Fellows.

I studied in the U.S. on an educational program. Can I apply for a YSEALI Fellowship?

Studying in the U.S. previously is not a reason that an applicant would be excluded for consideration for the YSEALI Fellowship.  However, there will be a preference towards participants who have not been to the United States previously.

Studying in the U.S. previously is not a reason that an applicant would be excluded for consideration for the YSEALI Fellowship. However, there will be a preference towards participants who have not been to the United States previously.

I have been to the U.S. before; am I disqualified?

No.  Candidates with minimal experience in the United States may be considered for the program.  However, priority may be given to excellent applicants with no previous experience in the United States.

No. Candidates with minimal experience in the United States may be considered for the program. However, priority may be given to excellent applicants with no previous experience in the United States.

I am a citizen of Singapore but living in England. Am I eligible?

No, you must be a citizen of and residing in one of the 10 ASEAN countries.

No, you must be a citizen of and residing in one of the 10 ASEAN countries.

I am a citizen of the Philippines but living in Singapore. Am I eligible?

Yes, you can be a citizen of one ASEAN country and be residing in another ASEAN country

Yes, you can be a citizen of one ASEAN country and be residing in another ASEAN country.

I am a dual citizen of Singapore and the United States. May I participate in a YSEALI Fellowship?

No.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders), including dual citizens, are NOT eligible to participate in this program.

No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders), including dual citizens, are NOT eligible to participate in this program.

How do I become a YSEALI Member? Does joining affect my candidacy?

Joining or not joining will not have an effect on your candidacy.  However, it is a good way to stay informed on YSEALI news and updates. You may join YSEALI online at: https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali/

Joining or not joining will not have an effect on your candidacy. However, it is a good way to stay informed on YSEALI news and updates. You may join YSEALI online at: https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali/

May I reapply in future years if I am not selected?

Yes, you may reapply.

Yes, you may reapply.

How many YSEALI Fellows will be selected from my country?

The YSEALI Fellowships are designed to include participants from all 10 ASEAN countries.  Participants will be selected based on the merit of their application.  There is no definitive number of how many participants will be selected from each of the ASEAN nations.

The YSEALI Fellowships are designed to include participants from all 10 ASEAN countries. Participants will be selected based on the merit of their application. There is no definitive number of how many participants will be selected from each of the ASEAN nations.

“A track record of making an impact in their community, organization or company” is listed as a requirement for eligibility. What kind of track record I should provide if I apply for this Fellowship?

As a part of your application to the YSEALI Professional Fellowship, you will be asked to answer essay questions.  These questions are your opportunity to demonstrate ways in which you have personally made positive contributions in your community or work. YSEALI Academic Fellows will be selected by our U.S. Embassies, who will look for candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to their communities in addition to academic success

As a part of your application to the YSEALI Professional Fellowship, you will be asked to answer essay questions. These questions are your opportunity to demonstrate ways in which you have personally made positive contributions in your community or work. YSEALI Academic Fellows will be selected by our U.S. Embassies, who will look for candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to their communities in addition to academic success.

I am currently 25 years old but will turn 26 before the YSEALI Academic Fellowship starts. Am I eligible?

Yes, you are still eligible. The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is designed for participants ages 18-25, but we will consider older applicants if they meet all other requirements.

Yes, you are still eligible. The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is designed for participants ages 18-25, but we will consider older applicants if they meet all other requirements.

I am a 26 year old working professional, and I graduated four years ago. May I apply?

Yes.  While, the YSEALI Academic Fellows program is geared for emerging students and recently-graduated leaders who are between the ages of 18 and 25, older candidates may be considered.  However, the YSEALI Professional Fellows program — designed for up-and-coming young leaders who are early in their careers — may be the appropriate track choice.

Yes. While, the YSEALI Academic Fellows program is geared for emerging students and recently-graduated leaders who are between the ages of 18 and 25, older candidates may be considered. However, the YSEALI Professional Fellows program — designed for up-and-coming young leaders who are early in their careers — may be the appropriate track choice.

I am not currently a student. Am I still eligible to be a YSEALI Academic Fellow?

Yes, YSEALI Academic Fellows should be current full-time undergraduate students or have graduated from college in the past four years.

Yes, YSEALI Academic Fellows should be current full-time undergraduate students or have graduated from college in the past four years.

What degree of English proficiency should I have?

All YSEALI Fellows must be fully proficient in English. YSEALI Academic Fellows will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English. TOEFL scores are not required, but all candidates will participate in interviews at the U.S. embassy, consulate, or other location, where your English abilities will be assessed.

All YSEALI Fellows must be fully proficient in English. YSEALI Academic Fellows will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English. TOEFL scores are not required, but all candidates will participate in interviews at the U.S. embassy, consulate, or other location, where your English abilities will be assessed.

I would love to become a YSEALI Professional Fellow, but I can’t participate in the spring of 2015. Will there be other opportunities to apply?

Yes.  There will be additional open application periods in 2015, including one in early 2015 to select another group of YSEALI Professional Fellows to take part in the program in fall 2015.

Yes. There will be additional open application periods in 2015, including one in early 2015 to select another group of YSEALI Professional Fellows to take part in the program in fall 2015.

I am currently 24 years old, but I will turn 25 before May 1, 2015. Am I eligible?

Yes.  The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is geared for emerging leaders who are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of their participation in the program. Exceptional professionals who are younger than 25 at the time of participation in the program will be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Yes. The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is geared for emerging leaders who are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of their participation in the program. Exceptional professionals who are younger than 25 at the time of participation in the program will be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

I am currently 35 years old, but I will turn 36 before the spring YSEALI Professional Fellows program ends in June of 2015. Am I eligible to apply?

No.  The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is geared for emerging leaders who are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of their participation in the program.

No. The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program is geared for emerging leaders who are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of their participation in the program.

Can a first year student apply to be a YSEALI Professional Fellow?

The YSEALI Professional Fellowship is designed for up-and-coming young leaders who are early in their careers, or have recently started joined the workforce, as opposed to students.  While it is possible that a student could also fit this profile, the YSEALI Academic Fellowship is likely to be more appropriate for students.

The YSEALI Professional Fellowship is designed for up-and-coming young leaders who are early in their careers, or have recently started joined the workforce, as opposed to students. While it is possible that a student could also fit this profile, the YSEALI Academic Fellowship is likely to be more appropriate for students.

I applied for the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program. When will I hear if I have been selected?

Thank you for applying!  Please see YSEALI Professional Fellows Program application process and timeline here.