We are looking for the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow for 2020!

Benjamin Franklin Fellowship Program

“Submit your application for a prestigious youth program in the United States during the summer of 2020.”

U.S. Embassy The Hague is accepting applications for the 2020 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow!  Are you a Dutch citizen or legal permanent resident who is interested in diplomacy, the transatlantic relations ship, and public service?  Will you be between 16 and 17 years old as of June 22, 2020?  Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime?  Then send in your application (see instructions below) and you could be selected for a four-week Summer Institute in the United States!

The 2020 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute for Youth will last four weeks, in June and July 2020 (exact dates to be announced), at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  The goals of the Institute are:

  • to develop a commitment to transatlantic cooperation;
  • to foster relationships between American and European youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups;
  • to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Europe;
  • to develop a cadre of youth leaders who will share their knowledge and skills with their peers through positive action.

The four-week Institute will accommodate up to 45 Fellows from across Europe.  One participant will be selected from the Netherlands. Institute activities include discussion of global issues of common interest, leadership and media training, collaborative project development, community service, educational travel, and plans for follow-on activities.

Recruitment/Candidate profile:
The successful candidate should be 16 or 17 years old, have a strong interest in learning about diplomacy, the transatlantic relationship, the role of a free press in a democratic society, and public or community service. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in communications, advocacy, debate, or civic participation.

They should have the academic aptitude for a program of this nature and personal qualities needed to be successful participants, including maturity, strong social skills, flexibility, and open-mindedness. These factors are particularly important given the diverse group atmosphere of the Institute. English fluency is required.

Application Procedures:

Note: This program is only open to Dutch citizens and legal permanent residents of the Netherlands.

We will select the nominees based on an application essay and a follow-up interview.  In your essay, you should discuss why you are the right candidate for the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship and why you think that a strong U.S.-Dutch relationship is important. The essay should be written in English.Make sure your essay does not exceed 600 words. 

Alternatively, you can submit an application video, discussing the same topics. Your video should not be longer than 5 minutes.

Applications must be sent by Sunday, February 2, 2020 to the following e-mail address: irc_hague@yahoo.com with the subject line: “Application for BFTF 2020″.

Please also attach your CV, including the following information:

  • First and Last Name;
  • Age and Date of Birth;
  • City of Birth;
  • Home Address;
  • Nationality;
  • Telephone/Cell Number;
  • Name and address of your school:
  • Your extracurricular activities

The best applicants will be invited for a follow-up interview in English at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague in February, 2020.  The selected candidates will be announced mid-April, 2020.