Building the next generation of transatlantic leaders.
The strength of the transatlantic relationship has never been more important — or more fragile. We cultivate leaders who understand both shores of the Atlantic from the inside.
An initiative of
Fortius Foundation
“For more than eighty years, the partnership between Europe and the United States has been the cornerstone of the democratic world.”
That partnership has promoted peace, prosperity, innovation and the defence of freedom. Yet geopolitical competition, political polarisation, strategic divergence and generational change increasingly threaten the mutual understanding that has historically sustained the alliance.
The Transatlantic Fellowship was created to help bridge that gap. Our mission is to cultivate a new generation of leaders with a deep understanding of both sides of the Atlantic — fostering the personal relationships, intellectual exchange and institutional cooperation that will strengthen the transatlantic community for decades to come. Rather than confining exchange to the classroom, we immerse participants in the institutions, organisations and people who shape public life in Europe and the United States.
Not an exchange in the ordinary sense. And not purely academic.
The Fellowship develops tailored programmes for undergraduates, graduate students, young professionals and emerging leaders, through partnerships with universities, think tanks, public institutions and civil-society organisations. Its distinctive value lies in combining academia, policymaking, think tanks, diplomacy, media and public leadership in a single immersive experience.
Academic Exchange
Exchange programmes between European and American universities.
Research Fellowships
Placements hosted by universities and research centres.
Institutional Study Visits
Intensive visits to European and American institutions.
Parliamentary Traineeships
Placements within national parliaments and public institutions.
Think Tank Immersion
Sustained engagement with leading research institutes.
Public Affairs & Diplomacy
Direct exposure to diplomatic and public-affairs practice.
Media & Communication
Visits to newsrooms and political communication settings.
Leadership Seminars
Policy workshops and leadership formation.
Institutional Networking
Encounters with policymakers, academics and practitioners.
Understanding another political system cannot be achieved through books alone. The Fellowship allows participants to experience first-hand how institutions function, how public policy is designed, how democratic debate unfolds and how strategic decisions are made.
The objective is not to advance a particular political position, but to encourage informed leadership, intellectual curiosity, institutional understanding and lasting cooperation between Europe and the United States.
Participants engage directly with
Four formats, one mission.
Research Fellowships
Research placements hosted by universities and academic institutions, allowing participants to work alongside researchers while developing projects in international affairs, political science, public policy and transatlantic relations.
University of Navarra, Spain (November 2025). James Thomas Anderson V (Washington College, magna cum laude, History & Political Science) completed a one-month research fellowship under Dr Santiago de Navascués, researching Spain's democratisation in the twentieth century.
Institutional Study Visits
Short, intensive programmes introducing participants to the institutional architecture of Europe and the United States through direct meetings with policymakers, diplomats, academics, journalists and practitioners.
Brussels & Bruges (June 2026). A week-long study visit across the European policymaking ecosystem. See the featured programme below.
Think Tank Immersion
Participants spend several days engaging with leading think tanks, research institutes and policy organisations, learning how ideas travel into public policy and democratic debate on both sides of the Atlantic.
First cohort in development.
Parliamentary Traineeships
Professional placements within national legislatures, giving participants practical experience of parliamentary work, legislative procedure and democratic governance.
Romanian Parliament (Summer 2026). Francesco Bertolini (Washington College, B.A. in Economics and French) completed a one-month traineeship working directly under a member of parliament.
1–5 June 2026 · Brussels & Bruges
Brussels & Bruges Transatlantic Study Visit
A week-long academic and institutional programme introducing participants to the European policymaking ecosystem through direct engagement with European institutions, NATO, diplomats, journalists, universities and public-affairs professionals.
Institutions visited
Understanding Europe — History & policy ecosystem
The programme opened with the historical foundations of European integration and the policy ecosystem around EU decision-making, including a visit to the House of European History and a meeting with Susana Garayoa (Head of European Institutional Relations at Zabala Innovation) on innovation policy, public funding and differences between lobbying at EU and member-state level.
Media, intelligence & public affairs
At Euronews, participants attended a live broadcast of Europe Today and discussed media ecosystems, journalism in the digital age, political communication and public trust. A session with Marc Berruezo, Director of Intelligence at BeBarlet, explored how intelligence gathering, stakeholder mapping and strategic analysis support decision-making in complex regulatory environments.
European governance & migration policy
A tour of the European Parliament and a discussion with MEP Nora Junco (ECR, ES) on contemporary political challenges, governance and institutional decision-making, followed by attendance at a parliamentary event dedicated to migration policy — one of the most consequential debates shaping the European agenda.
European Commission & the European project
A private tour of the European Commission and a one-to-one meeting with José Limão, Policy Officer at the Secretariat-General, on EU law, European integration and the project's rationale and present-day challenges, complemented by a guided cultural tour of Brussels as both Belgian and European capital.
Bruges & the academic dimension of Europe
A study visit to the College of Europe in Bruges, including a meeting with Michele Chang, Director of the Transatlantic Programme, on the future of transatlantic relations, European leadership development, international cooperation and public-policy education.
Security & transatlantic cooperation
At NATO Headquarters, participants explored the Alliance's mission, structure and strategic priorities with officials including Alexia Gelé (Current Operations), Camilla Nicoletti (Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre) and Sara Sampaio (Operations Division).
Diplomacy & EU–US relations
A diplomatic perspective on the EU–US relationship with Seth Oppenheim, Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Mission to the EU), and a session at POLITICO Europe with journalist Max Griera and Tommaso Anselmi (Business Development) on the contrast between European and American political reporting.
Topics explored
A growing record of delivery.
November 2025
Research Fellowship
University of Navarra · Pamplona, Spain
James Thomas Anderson V, a magna cum laude graduate of Washington College (B.A. in History and Political Science), completed a one-month research fellowship at the University of Navarra under Dr Santiago de Navascués, researching Spain's process of democratisation in the twentieth century.
June 2026
Institutional Study Visit
Brussels & Bruges · Belgium
A week-long programme across the European policymaking ecosystem — European Parliament, European Commission, NATO, the U.S. Mission to the EU, the College of Europe, Euronews and POLITICO Europe.
Summer 2026
Parliamentary Traineeship
Romanian Parliament · Bucharest, Romania
Francesco Bertolini (Washington College, B.A. in Economics and French) completed a one-month traineeship in the Romanian Parliament, working directly under a member of parliament and gaining hands-on experience of legislative work.
“The future of the Atlantic community will depend not only on governments, but on the relationships built between its future leaders.”
By connecting students, researchers, policymakers, journalists, academics and practitioners across both sides of the Atlantic, the Transatlantic Fellowship seeks to strengthen mutual understanding, encourage democratic cooperation and prepare the next generation to address the strategic challenges of the twenty-first century together.
The Fellowship is conceived as a permanent platform. The formats below are under development for forthcoming cycles.
A growing list of universities, institutions and organisations visited and engaged with by Fellowship participants across our programmes.
The people behind the Fellowship.
Vice-President · Fortius Foundation US
Prof. Joseph Prud'homme
Burton Family Chair in Religion, Politics and Culture and Associate Professor of Political Science at Washington College, where he is founding Director of the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture. He holds a doctorate from Princeton University and has held fellowships at Harvard University and the University of Oxford.
Head of Training · Fortius Foundation
Alexia Cosmello
A public-affairs and EU-policy specialist based in Brussels, where she leads engagement with national associations on EU policy, digital transformation and transatlantic relations. She holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Navarra and a master's in political and institutional communication from LUISS Guido Carli, with further study in Jerusalem, Washington D.C. and Shanghai.
For participants
Apply & request information
Undergraduates, graduate students, young professionals and emerging leaders interested in joining a forthcoming cohort can register their interest and receive details of open opportunities.
Apply & get involvedFor institutions & partners
Partner with us
Universities, think tanks, parliaments and organisations wishing to host participants or develop a joint programme are invited to explore a partnership with the Fortius Foundation.
Partner with us