Participants of the 2023 Young Leaders Institute will receive the following:

• Opportunity to hear directly from expert guest speakers on crucial global topics
• Advice from a diverse panel of early-career profesisonals
• Tailored feedback and guidance on group policy projects, research resources, and presentations (visual and oral)
• Interactive activities to promote teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking
• Off-site visit or substitute activity offering special interactive learning experiences
• Connectivity with a range of students from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• Award for top presentation group
• Certificate of completion
• Friday celebration ceremony
• Young Leaders Institute T-shirt
• A week of memories and growth!

The Young Leaders Institute provides an educative experience valued at approximately $2,000.

High school students form the Greater Houston area are encouraged to apply for the Young Leaders Institute. While there are no age restrictions, students must be high school students in Fall 2023.

There is no GPA requirement. Neither specific coursework nor prior interest in foreign policy, international relations, or international business is necessary. Applications will be evaluated holistically, with emphasis on strong essay answers. The Young Leaders Institute welcomes students from all backgrounds and interests.

Students must have availability to commit to the full week-long session., 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. daily. Additionally, students need to have their own transportation to and from Asia Society Texas Center.

Laptops and reliable access to the Internet are necessary for policy research and group work.

How do I apply?
Interested students must fully complete and submit an online application, which includes a short essay. Letters of recommendation, additional writing samples, or admission interviews are not required for application or acceptance to the Institute.

When is the deadline for application?
Applications will be accepted until midnight on Monday, April 17, 2023. Spots are limited, so students are encouraged to apply early to increase their chances of admission.

Can I apply to more than one session?
Yes. Students may apply to one, two, or all three sessions of the Young Leaders Institute simply by checking the sessions they are interested in on the application form.

What if the session I am interested in is already full?
Each session has limited capacity. Due to rolling applications, a session may reach capacity before the deadline. Students may request to be placed on the waitlist.

Can I submit my application after the posted deadline?
If the Institute is full at the deadline, applications will be closed and no further applications will be accepted. In the event that spots remain open in the Institute, the application deadline will be extended with a new deadline to be determined and publicly updated on the Asia Society Texas website.

How do I check the status of my application? When will I hear if I have been accepted?
Following the submission of the online application form, students will be contacted individually only if additional information is required. Acceptances will be sent out on a rolling basis. If students have specific questions regarding their application, they may email [email protected].

What if I cannot attend a YLI session after being accepted?
Please inform us as soon as possible if you can no longer attend a YLI session that you have been accepted into, by emailing [email protected]. Participation fees, once paid, are nonrefundable.

It is free to apply!
Upon acceptance to the Institute, a nonrefundable participation fee (per session) will be due to guarantee placement: $75 for Asia Society members, $100 for nonmembers.

Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are available. Students who indicate interest in a scholarship on their application form will be expected to submit information to demonstrate financial need such as a parent or guardian's W2 or proof of free or reduced lunch.

Refunds
If your plans have changed and you can no longer attend a session that you have been accepted into, please inform us as soon as possible by emailing [email protected]. Participation fees, once paid, are nonrefundable.

All Asia Society Texas staff, interns, and volunteers are vaccinated for COVID-19. Additional health and safety policies may be shared with students as the dates approach, if needed.

Policies are informed by current recommendations from local, state, and federal health officials, agencies, and authorities, including Harris County recommendations and CDC guidelines. As such, these polices may shift or change.