Spring 2024 YSEALI Academic Fellowship

Spring 2024 YSEALI Academic Fellowship is now accepting an application. U.S. Embassy Bangkok is now accepting applications for the Spring 2024 YSEALI Academic Fellowship. Candidates from Thailand interested in the topics of Civic Engagement, Environmental Issues, and Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development are invited to apply for this opportunity.

Eligibility

Candidates applying for this program must be:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25 at the time of application
• A citizen of Thailand
• A resident of Thailand
• A full-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have 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

he Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a public diplomacy program designed to advance regional strategic goals, break down barriers that separate the next generation of leaders in Southeast Asia, and link those emerging leaders to the United States.  To this end, the YSEALI Academic Fellowship will bring exceptional young leaders from Southeast Asian countries to the United States to further develop their professional and leadership skills.  The Study of the U.S. Branch implements the YSEALI Academic Fellowship aimed at young leaders aged 18-25.

Program Requirements and Restrictions: Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive and rigorous academic program and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the Fellowship. Participants must attend all lectures, participate in all required organized activities, and complete all assignments.  Family members and/or friends may not accompany or join participants for any part of the program.

English Language Ability: English Language proficiency is required to participate in this program.  All candidates must be proficient in English so that they can actively participate in the academic program.  Host institutions will consider the varying levels of participants’ comprehension and speaking ability and will prepare lectures and discussions that meet the highest academic standards while using language appropriate for students whom English is their second or third language.

Housing and Meal Arrangements: Housing will be in shared or single university dorms on campus or full-service hotels within walking distance of most classroom activities.  Male and female participants will be housed in separate quarters.  In addition to regular group meals and a university meal plan, participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.

Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.  Special accommodations will be made available to the greatest extent possible.  Should a participant need to quarantine due to positive COVID-19 test results, accommodations will follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

• Application for Civic Engagement Theme: https://forms.gle/zEqS5kZX7yzYZsqk8
• Application for Environmental Issues Theme: https://forms.gle/ZN6yezrgnE9VTmVp8
• Application for Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Theme: https://forms.gle/qZ7dJ3UTPDFZRtLv9

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Benefits

Program Funding: Through cooperative agreements to the host universities, the U.S. Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: international travel costs; technology allowances for the virtual program; travel allowances; program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; book, cultural, mailing and incidental allowances; and housing and subsistence.

There will be two Institutes on each theme with each Institute composed of up to 25 Fellows.  The five-week programs are planned to take place in-person during the mid-April through mid-May timeframe; exact dates will be determined at a later time.  Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the program will pivot to a modified virtual format.

Health Benefits:  All participants will receive the Department of State’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefit 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.  Pre-existing conditions may be covered up to $100,000, subject to policy exclusions and limitations. COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under the ASPE health benefits plan.  Information on the health benefit program may be found online at https://www.sevencorners.com/gov/usdos.

Travel Policy: Under no circumstances are participants allowed to arrive in the United States prior to the start date of the Fellowship or remain in the United States after the end date.  Similarly, participants will not be permitted to leave the Fellowship to visit relatives or friends while in the United States.  If a relative or friend wishes to visit a participant, it will be considered on a case- by-case basis in consultation with the program officer and the host institution.  Participants are required to return to their home countries immediately following the end of the Institute.

Violations of program rules, host institution rules, or local, state, or federal laws can be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

Virtual Program Contingency: Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the Academic Fellowship will pivot to a virtual format.  The virtual program would consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  To the extent possible, the virtual programming would include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, leadership development, assignments, and individual and group activities.  Participants would be expected to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their location.

Connectivity: Should the program need to pivot to a virtual format, participants would need access to a computer and a stable internet connection.  If a participant does not have access to these two items, the cooperative partners will work with the Fellow to facilitate access.

Participants will be expected to actively engage in all program activities, and therefore, they should notify immediately the host institution, post of any issues with their online access during the duration of the program as well as any difficulties affecting their participation.

Application Process

Click here to apply

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