What is YSEALI Seeds for the Future?

YSEALI Seeds for the Future is a signature initiative by the U.S. Government to empower and connect young leaders across Southeast Asia. Since 2015, the program has supported hundreds of innovative projects addressing critical issues like civic engagement, economic empowerment, social entrepreneurship, education, and environmental sustainability.

The 2025 YSEALI Seeds for the Future program provides up to $12,000 for projects under the Innovation Catalyst tier, $8,000 for projects under the Impact Accelerator tier, and $5,000 for the Emerging Leaders tier. Wining projects will receive mentorships throughout the program, equipping them with the tools they need to create lasting impact.

Civic Engagement
Sustainable Development
Education
Economic Empowerment

How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? The YSEALI Seeds for the Future program offers three funding tiers to support projects that drive change in Southeast Asia.

Follow these steps to apply:

  • 01

    Check Your Eligibility

    Teams of at least three members aged 18-35, who are citizens of ASEAN countries or Timor-Leste, can apply. Your project should align with one or more of YSEALI’s core themes.

  • 02

    Submit Your Application

    • Stage 1: Submit a preliminary application between October 28 – November 17, 2024. Tell us about your project, its objectives, and the impact you aim to create.
    • Stage 2: Shortlisted teams will be invited to submit a detailed proposal from November 25 – December 20, 2024.
  • 03

    Participate in Webinars

    Join our Informational Webinars to learn more about the application process and get your questions answered.

  • 04

    Check Your Eligibility

    Teams of at least three members aged 18-35, who are citizens of Southeast Asian nations, can apply. Your project should align with one or more of YSEALI’s core themes.

  • Applications Open

    Oct 28, 2024
  • Informational Webinar 1
    Nov 9, 2024
  • Stage 2

    Nov 25 - Dec 20, 2024
  • Informational Webinar 2

    Nov 30, 2024
  • Ask Me Anything Session

    Dec 14, 2024
  • Winner Announcement

    Jan 2025
  • Winning Project Implementation Phase

    Mar - Nov 2025

Mentorship Program

The YSEALI Seeds for the Future Mentorship Program is designed to provide ongoing guidance and support throughout your project’s journey. Participants will have access to two types of mentorship

1 : Project Management Mentorship

Experienced mentors will work closely with your team to set goals, monitor progress, and troubleshoot challenges. Expect monthly check-ins to ensure your project stays on track.

2 : Thematic Skills Mentorship

Focus on enhancing your team’s skills through expert-led webinars on civic engagement, social entrepreneurship, education, and environmental sustainability. Peer-to-peer exchanges will help you collaborate and learn from other participants.

3 : Mentorship Timeline

  • February 2025: Mentorship pairing and onboarding
  • March – November 2025: Monthly mentorship sessions and thematic webinars

Workshops & Webinars

Throughout the program, participants will have the opportunity to attend workshops and webinars to enhance their skills and build their leadership capabilities.

Our Kickoff Workshop in February 2025 will bring together the 25 winning teams in Kuala Lumpur for an immersive experience. Following that, monthly webinars will keep you connected, informed, and inspired.

Webinar 1 RecordingWebinar 1 SlidesWebinar 2 RecordingWebinar 2 Slides

Success Stories

YSEALI Seeds for the Future has empowered over 100 youth leaders to make a real difference in their communities. From improving access to education to launching sustainable social enterprises, the program’s impact is felt across Southeast Asia.
Here’s what some of our past participants have to say:

$2.5 million

in grants awarded since 2013

10+

countries reached

250+

communities impacted

Thanks to YSEALI Seeds, Recycle Dalat has recycled tons of plastic, planted over 7,000 trees, and engaged 13,000 viewers across Southeast Asia, fostering a greener and more sustainable community.

Recycle Dalat

YSEALI Seeds has significantly boosted EcoCupid’s environmental media efforts. We’ve featured 15 eco projects in our documentaries, built a comprehensive website, and engaged volunteers across Southeast Asia to amplify our impact.

EcoCupid

With YSEALI Seeds’ support, Make It Safe effectively combats cybercrime and transgender exploitation using innovative methods like design thinking and hackathons. This funding has made a significant difference in our community.

MakeITSafe

Thanks to YSEALI Seeds, we’ve increased our participation rate by 700% and impacted over 3,500 youths through the project. This support has been transformative for our organization.

LEAPS

YSEALI Seeds has empowered our Food Heroes program to rescue 3,000 kg of surplus food, benefiting 2,000 people in Medan. We’ve also trained 23 volunteers to sustain this vital work every day.

Food Heroes Aksata Pangan

As a YSEALI Seeds grant recipient, Disaster Busters has capacitated 180 young leaders in the Philippines to advocate for disaster resilience and climate action, strengthening our network of dedicated professionals and students.

#DisasterBusters

Receiving YSEALI Seeds allowed us to launch a capacity-building program for Malaysian female students, empowering them to advocate for equality and create a lasting legacy for future generations.

KAMI untuk SEMUA

Have questions? We’ve got answers.

Have More Questions?

Access our Help Centre for comprehensive resources and expert guidance to make your YSEALI application stand out.

Explore Help Centre

Get in touch with us

We’re here to help! If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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