Apply Now: Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship 2025 – Luxembourg

Deadline: 3 February 2025

The U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg is pleased to invite high school students in Luxembourg to apply for a four-week summer Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship. They are looking for aspiring young leaders who want to work with American and other European youth to build a network that will lead to a lifetime of change!

The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF) empowers and fosters relationships among the younger generation of Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and an awareness of shared values. The initiative is named after the legendary American statesman and diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, in honour of the inspiration his own life and career provides to those who are working to strengthen transatlantic cooperation.

The four-week program will enable students, ages 16-18, to explore U.S. foreign policy priorities such as youth engagement, support for democracy and civil society, and economic prosperity. The program will consist of a series of lectures, seminar discussions and 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, social and cultural activities, and homestays with American families to deepen participants’ experience of U.S. society during their exchange. Upon their return home, participants will implement service projects in their communities and present an alumni project plan to a youth-serving or youth-centered organization in their home country.

Benefits

All program costs will be covered by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, including visa, travel, lodging, educational materials, ground transportation expenses, and travel insurance.
The selected participant will travel to the United States on a J-1 visa and will have to be able to meet all travel requirements applicable at the time of departure.

Eligibility Criteria

They are looking for candidates who:
- were born between June 24, 2007, and June 24, 2009 (i.e., be 16, 17, or 18 years of age at the time of the program start);
- are a Luxembourgish citizen or legal permanent resident of Luxembourg;
- are highly proficient in English, as demonstrated in a virtual interview;
- demonstrate strong leadership potential and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy;
- demonstrate a commitment to community and extracurricular activities;
- have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States;
- are mature, responsible, independent, confident, openminded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive;
- are willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, with community service and educational travel.
Candidates must also exhibit demonstrable interest in pursuing leadership opportunities in Luxembourg 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 academic program and the follow-on activities in Luxembourg. As the program starts on June 24, if selected the candidate will also need to obtain permission from their school direction to be excused from classes for the final weeks of the school year.