The 2025 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF)
The program is scheduled to take place in-person from June 23-July 21, 2026. The program will be hosted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship is an intensive short-term exchange program, created to foster relationships among young Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and an awareness of shared Western democratic values between the United States and Europe. The program will consist of seminar discussions, presentations, and a broad assortment of practical, faculty- and mentor-led workshops. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by community service activities, site visits, cultural activities, and homestays with American families.
All U.S.-based activities of the exchange will be covered for the participant, as well as international travel expenses. This opportunity is announced pending availability of funds.
Candidates must demonstrate interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in their home countries and convey a genuine desire to learn about the United States and its people, society, and institutions. They are expected to fully participate in the U.S.-based academic program and the follow-on activities in their home countries. Candidates nominated for this fellowship will:
- be born between June 23, 2008, and June 23, 2010 (i.e., be 16, 17, or 18 years of age at the time of the program start)
- be highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a personal interview or through the results of a standardized test
- be committed to enrolling in high school or university in their home countries in fall 2026, following completion of the program
- demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy
- indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States
- demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations
- demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities
- have had little or no prior U.S. study or travel
Participants are expected to fully participate in the academic program and follow-on activities in their home countries.