YSEALI Summit 2026

The YSEALI Summit is a funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Public Diplomacy Section. This program is part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, the U.S. government’s flagship leadership development initiative in Southeast Asia. The initiative has engaged thousands of emerging leaders across ASEAN countries through exchanges, workshops, and grants. The 2026 Summit builds on this foundation by convening alumni to advance U.S. strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly around regional security, stability, and cooperation. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the implementation of a six-day, in-person regional summit in Manila, Philippines, focused on security issues such as maritime, cyber, and energy security. The selected recipient will design and execute a comprehensive program for approximately 100 participants from ASEAN countries, along with mentors and speakers. The summit aims to foster collaboration, deepen understanding of regional security challenges, and promote U.S.-ASEAN partnerships. Participants will develop actionable plans to address regional challenges and contribute to long-term cooperation and resilience. Funding for this opportunity ranges from 200000 to 300000 dollars, with a total program funding amount of 300000 dollars, subject to availability. The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning substantial involvement from the U.S. Embassy is expected throughout implementation. The period of performance is between 12 and 15 months, with an anticipated project start date of September 1, 2026. Allowable activities include program design, participant recruitment, event logistics, curriculum development, monitoring and evaluation, and post-summit support. Restrictions include prohibitions on construction, direct social services, political activities, and fundraising. Eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and public international or governmental organizations. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded from applying as primary recipients. Applicants must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier and active SAM.gov registration. Only one proposal per organization is permitted as the primary applicant. Applicants may collaborate with partners through subcontracts or subawards, but responsibilities must be clearly defined. Additional requirements include proof of non-profit status, organizational registration, and compliance with federal regulations. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), a detailed proposal narrative of up to 20 pages, a comprehensive budget and justification, and supporting documentation such as resumes and letters of support. The proposal must include a clear program design, timeline, monitoring and evaluation plan, and evidence of organizational capacity. Applications must be submitted via email to grantsmanila@state.gov by July 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Philippine Standard Time. Applications will be evaluated based on program quality, organizational capacity, feasibility, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Awards are expected to be announced within approximately 120 days after the application deadline. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes, including participant engagement, media reach, and implementation of post-summit action plans. The opportunity is a one-time announcement but may allow continuation funding based on performance and funding availability.

Align proposal closely with U.S. foreign policy priorities; demonstrate strong monitoring and evaluation capacity; provide detailed and feasible implementation plan; ensure budget justification is precise and well-supported