BAFF Fellowship Program

A prestigious nine-month U.S. fellowship for emerging Baltic professionals in security, defense, resilience, and related strategic fields.

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Up to
USD 35,000

9 months

United States

Master Students &
Recent Graduates

From Estonia, Latvia &
Lithuania

Why Participate?

The BAFF Fellowship Program is a competitive and prestigious scholarship designed to support the next generation of Baltic civic and business leaders with a strong interest in security, defense, resilience, and related strategic fields, and in U.S.-Baltic ties.

The program provides driven young professionals from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the opportunity to participate in a specialized nine-month fellowship in the United States, combining professional experience, learning, and intercultural exchange. Depending on the participant’s professional background and goals, the fellowship may focus on professional training, research, or a combination of both.

BAFF provides a comprehensive scholarship covering the costs of participation, enabling Fellows to fully immerse themselves in the U.S. professional environment and American culture while gaining the experience, knowledge, and skills needed to advance their careers and contribute to their fields upon returning to the Baltics.

Fellows are placed with U.S. organizations, institutions, companies, or other relevant hosts where they can develop practical expertise, learn from U.S. professionals, contribute their own knowledge, and establish lasting professional connections between the Baltic States and the United States.

Through this experience, BAFF Fellows strengthen not only their individual professional and leadership capacity but also the knowledge, networks, and transatlantic relationships that contribute to a stronger, more secure, and resilient Baltic region.

What You’ll gain

Gain U.S. Professional Experience

Work alongside professionals at U.S. organizations and gain practical experience, knowledge, and perspectives that can be applied in your future career in the Baltic States.
Build an International Professional Network

Develop relationships with U.S. professionals, organizations, researchers, and experts while becoming part of the wider BAFF alumni community.
Develop Expertise in Security and Resilience

Build specialized knowledge in fields relevant to contemporary security challenges, including cybersecurity and digital security, engineering and technology, media and information security, critical infrastructure, civil protection, crisis management, economic and strategic security, and other related areas.
Combine Professional Practice and Research

Depending on the fellowship and host organization, participants may undertake a professional internship, conduct research, or combine practical work with a research component.
Bring Knowledge Back to the Baltics

Apply the knowledge, professional practices, methodologies, and networks developed in the United States to contribute to your professional field and strengthen institutional and professional capacity in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania.
Receive Comprehensive BAFF Support

Selected Fellows receive financial and program support including roundtrip airfare to the U.S., J-1 visa sponsorship, health insurance, a monthly stipend, and dedicated program support throughout the fellowship. Fellows will also have opportunities to participate in the BAFF Fellows Forum and BAFF alumni activities upon their return home.

Who can participate?

Eligibility

The BAFF Fellowship Program is open to citizens of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania who demonstrate strong academic and professional potential and a clear interest in contributing to their field following their experience in the United States.

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania.
Education & Experience: You must either be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program, OR hold a Master’s degree with up to 5 years of professional experience in your field.

Relevant fields

The program is intended for emerging professionals pursuing careers related to security, defense, and societal resilience in a broad sense. Relevant fields may include, but are not limited to:

Diplomacy and International Relations
 Defense and security technologies
 Cybersecurity and digital security
 Media, journalism, and information security
 Engineering and technology
 Critical infrastructure protection
 Energy security
 Civil protection and crisis management
 Economic and strategic security
 Supply-chain and transportation security
 Social and community resilience
 Other fields contributing to security and resilience in the Baltic States

BAFF support

Selected Fellows receive a comprehensive BAFF scholarship of up to USD 35,000 to support their nine-month professional and/or research experience in the United States. The scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers and enable Fellows to focus fully on their professional development, learning, and U.S. experience.

The Fellowship includes

Roundtrip airfare to the United States
Bridge USA (J-1 visa) sponsorship by our U.S. implementer, Cenet
Health insurance
Monthly living stipend from BAFF or an equivalent salary from the host organization
Dedicated program and placement support
Participation in BAFF professional development and enrichment activities, including the BAFF Fellows Forum
Access to the BAFF alumni community

Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate a strong connection between their academic or professional background, the proposed U.S. fellowship experience, and the potential impact of that experience after returning to the Baltic States. An important condition of participation is the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Following completion of the Fellowship, participants are expected to return to their home country and fulfill the applicable two-year residency requirement.

Applicants must

Be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program and/or have graduated from a Master degree program and have up to five years of relevant professional experience in their field
Demonstrate that their academic and/or professional background is relevant to the priority areas of the BAFF Fellowship Program
Demonstrate a well-defined motivation for participating in the Fellowship and an understanding of how the U.S. experience will contribute to their professional development and their field in the Baltic States.
Be prepared to undertake a professional internship, research project, or a combination of professional and research activities in the United States.
Demonstrate sufficient English-language skills to successfully participate in a professional and/or research environment in the United States.
Participants must meet all applicable requirements for participation under the Bridge USA J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

How the Fellowship Works

Submit your application and supporting documents.

Application

BAFF evaluates candidates based on background, motivation, and potential impact

Selection

BAFF and Cenet identify a suitable U.S. host organization.

Placement

Complete your professional and/or research experience.

Fellowship in the U.S.

Bring your knowledge, networks, and experience back to the Baltics.

Return & Apply Your Experience

Please note: Fellowship placements are sourced by BAFF and our U.S. implementer, Cenet. If you already have a U.S. placement and want to be part of the other aspects of the BAFF Fellowship program (including U.S. visa support), please contact us.

What is the two-year home country residency requirement?

The Two-Year Home Country Residency Requirement is a fundamental condition of the BAFF Fellowship program. It reflects our core mission to promote Baltic economic development by bringing valuable skills back to the region.

Upon completion of the BAFF Fellowship, you are required to return immediately to, and reside in, your country of permanent residency for a minimum of two years and are not permitted to stay or attempt to stay in the U.S. or any other foreign country, including to work, pursue work, or study.

Short-term visits, up to a maximum of 14 days, to foreign countries for the primary purpose of tourism or short-term business are allowed. Visits longer than 14 days must be reported to your BAFF local representative prior to the start of the visit. In any calendar year, the total length of visits to foreign countries for either purpose may not exceed 90 days.

This residency requirement is at the heart of the BAFF Fellowship's success. It serves as a moral obligation that supports our foundational aim of promoting Baltic economic development by investing in the next generation of professionals. Ultimately, it is a commitment to the region, ensuring that our investment in your career directly contributes to the success of your home country.

Apply For the Fellowship

Dates & Deadlines

Application Deadline

November 10, 2026

Notification Date

December 30, 2026

Program start date may vary from May 1 to August 31, 2027

Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit:

1. BAFF Fellowships Application Form

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. One Letter of Recommendation

Additional information or documentation may be requested from candidates during the selection and placement process.

Download Application