Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit 2027

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Summit is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Singapore as part of its broader public diplomacy and international exchange programming. This initiative aligns with the Department of State’s strategic goal of strengthening U.S. technological leadership and fostering international partnerships, particularly in Southeast Asia. The program is administered as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by the U.S. government in program implementation, oversight, and coordination. The funding opportunity is designed to support a large-scale international summit that convenes emerging leaders from across ASEAN countries. The primary purpose of the grant is to organize and execute the YSEALI Summit in Singapore, with a focus on accelerating the adoption of U.S. technology, particularly artificial intelligence tools, across Southeast Asia. The program seeks to strengthen networks of pro-innovation leaders by connecting ASEAN professionals with U.S. technology firms, policymakers, and experts. Through structured engagements, participants will explore real-world problem solving using U.S. AI tools and develop actionable solutions to regional challenges such as energy security, supply chain resilience, and technological innovation. Funding supports a comprehensive set of program activities including participant recruitment and selection, summit programming, pre-departure orientations, safety and logistics planning, and post-summit mentorship and evaluation. The recipient organization is expected to manage communications, including maintaining a program website and social media presence, and to ensure compliance with U.S. government branding requirements. Additional activities include organizing hackathon-style events, facilitating policy discussions, and producing impact media content. While cost sharing is not required, the recipient must demonstrate sufficient organizational capacity to independently manage recruitment and implementation without reliance on in-country partners. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad but limited to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental entities. For-profit organizations are explicitly excluded from applying. Applicants must demonstrate experience in program management, international engagement, and the ability to coordinate complex, multi-country initiatives. The program is international in scope, focusing on participants from ASEAN member states, though the applicant organization itself may be based in the United States or abroad. The application process requires submission through the Grants.gov system by the stated deadline. Applicants must prepare a full proposal that outlines program design, recruitment strategy, monitoring and evaluation plans, and logistical execution. While specific application components are not exhaustively listed, the notice emphasizes the need for detailed planning across all program phases, including pre-event preparation and post-event follow-up. The U.S. Embassy in Singapore plays a central role in participant selection and program oversight, indicating close collaboration between the awardee and the funding agency. The application deadline is August 5, 2026, with the opportunity currently open for submissions. The program anticipates supporting approximately 100 participants and 8 to 15 resource speakers. Award funding ranges between 400,000 and 500,000 dollars, with one award expected. While no explicit performance period is stated, the scope of activities suggests a multi-phase project extending from pre-summit planning through post-summit evaluation and reporting. There is no indication that this opportunity is recurring, and no future cycles are specified.

Emphasize demonstrated capacity to manage international programs independently and align proposal with U.S. technology and policy objectives