Deadline for application: February 17, 2026, before 11:59 P.M.
The U.S. State Department, Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon are pleased to announce the 2026 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF). We invite all interested, qualified students to apply. The program is scheduled to take place in-person from June 23-July 21, 2026. The BFTF four-week program supports U.S. foreign policy priorities by promoting mutual understanding and civic responsibility among young Americans and Europeans. 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 participants’ costs will be covered, including in-country and international travel expenses of participants. These expenses include domestic travel in the home country, including any necessary travel for visa interviews; round-trip international travel to the United States; passport fees; a travel allowance; pre-departure orientation costs; and alumni activities.
Considerations for selection will include leadership potential, strong academic and social skills, and interest in transatlantic relations and diplomacy, community service, and learning about the history and culture of the United States, in alignment with Administration priorities. Participants must have strong English skills to participate in this program. Preference will be given to individuals who have not previously traveled to the United States.
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
- 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
Candidates should also be:
- mature, responsible, independent, confident, thoughtful, and inquisitive
- willing and able to fully participate in an intensive summer program, with community service and educational travel
- suited to campus life, shared living accommodations, travel, and interaction with a multinational, co-ed group of participants from across Europe and the United States
- comfortable proactively engaging with the Americans they meet in the host communities
Only complete applications submitted until 11:59 PM of February 17, 2026, will be considered. A complete application includes:
1. Submission of the application form (link), which includes providing personal and academic information, as well as writing one 200 word essay which is a critical part of the application. You may wish to draft your essay outside of the form and paste it in when complete. Attention will be paid to spelling, grammar and content. The essay prompt is:
- Describe in 200 words your future study or career plans.
2. Submission of a recommendation letter (link). Applicants should share the recommendation letter link with their recommenders who will submit the letter directly to us.
All inquiries about the application process should be sent to lisbonbfscholars@state.gov .
