A Fortius Foundation programme
Transatlantic Fellowship
Learning, research and institutional experience between Europe and the United States.
Four ways to take part.
For students, young professionals and emerging leaders who want to understand both sides of the Atlantic from within.
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.
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.
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.
Brussels & Bruges.
1–5 June 2026 · Institutional 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.
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.
See the full photo gallery
The programme in practice.
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 people behind the Fellowship.
Vice-President · Fortius Foundation
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.
Meet the Foundation
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.
Meet the FoundationInstitutions visited.
- University of Navarra
- Romanian Parliament
- College of Europe
- European Parliament
- European Commission
- NATO
- U.S. Mission to the EU
- Euronews
- POLITICO Europe
- House of European History
- Zabala Innovation
What comes next
The Fellowship is conceived as a permanent platform. The formats below are under development for forthcoming cycles.
- University exchanges (EU–US)
- Joint research fellowships
- Visiting scholar programmes
- Congressional & parliamentary placements
- Transatlantic policy seminars
- Executive study visits
- Summer schools
- Think tank residencies
- Alumni network
Take the next step.
For participants
Register your interest and receive information about upcoming cohorts.
Request informationFor institutions
Host participants or develop a joint programme with the Foundation.
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