Leadership Academy

A fully funded three-week summer program in the United States for talented high school students from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Develop your leadership skills, work on real-world challenges, experience American culture, and build friendships across the Baltics.

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✦ 3 weeks in the U.S.
✦ Grade 11 students from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
✦ Fully funded by a BAFF scholarship
✦ Leadership + innovation
through hands-on learning

Why Participate?

Are you ready for an unforgettable summer full of learning, new experiences, and personal growth?

Over three weeks in the United States, you will take part in fun and interactive workshops on idea generation, design thinking, and leadership. Living on a U.S. college campus in Portland, Maine, you'll make lifelong friends from across the Baltics and experience American culture firsthand.

In 2026, the Academy focuses on leading in an ever-changing world. Against the backdrop of AI, global conflict, and a dynamic economic landscape, you will learn to make effective decisions using human-centered design, empathy, and transformational leadership. This is your chance to grow your confidence, address real-world challenges, and see the world in a whole new way.

Annual theme

2026

Disrupt Leadership:

New Approaches to Leading for a Better Tomorrow.

The program will introduce models and practices of effective leadership in an ever-changing world. AI, global conflict, political and economic turmoil, and many other factors lead to a dynamic environment for leaders of tomorrow to make effective decisions. We will discuss and experience the ways human-centered design, design thinking, innovation management, empathy, transformational leadership, change management, and reflection can help us make better decisions and take better actions for a better future. We will apply our learnings to address a real life challenge while experiencing the business and leadership community, natural beauty, and economic, political, and cultural landscapes of Portland, Maine. The first part of the program takes place in Portland, Maine. Lectures and workshops will be held on a college campus in Maine. In addition to the formal curriculum, there will also be a variety of activities, as well as relaxing downtime, to keep a good balance between fun and the professional environment of the course. At the conclusion of the program, participants will take a short tour of New York and Washington to complete their unforgettable American summer experience.

What You’ll gain

Develop Modern Leadership Skills

Learn to spot opportunities with vision, resilience, and resourcefulness—qualities essential for your future education and career
Learn from the Experts

Apply innovative approaches like design thinking and change management alongside U.S. teachers and leadership professionals.
Grow Your Confidence

Get expert guidance in creating action plans, elevator pitches, and professional presentations.
Tackle Real-World Challenges

Work in dynamic teams to develop and pitch innovative ideas for a better tomorrow.
Experience U.S. Culture & Nature

Spend your downtime at Atlantic Ocean beaches, hike mountain trails, and explore Portland Harbor and the Casco Bay islands.
Explore Iconic Cities

Cap off your unforgettable summer with an inspiring tour of New York City and Washington, D.C.

Who can apply?

Eligibility

To apply for the Summer Leadership Academy, you must meet the following requirements:

Hold a valid passport from Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania for international travel.
Currently be a Grade 11 student (entering Grade 12 for the 2026/2027 school year).
Have written and spoken English language proficiency to fully participate in the curriculum.
Have parental permission to apply and participate.
Be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Note: Applicants cannot have immediate family members who are BAFF employees or Board/Advisor members.

What We Look For

Participants are selected based on their drive and potential, including:

Curiosity
A desire to learn, question, and explore new ideas.
Initiative
Motivation to turn ideas into action.
Responsibility
The maturity to participate independently in an international program.
Community mindset
A desire to contribute to your school, community, or home country.
Openness
Readiness to represent the Baltics and engage with another culture.
Connection to BAFF’s mission
An interest in building stronger ties between the Baltic States and the United States.

BAFF support

The BAFF Leadership Academy is a fully funded scholarship, covering your U.S. accommodation, curriculum costs, main activities, and travel within the U.S. (including the New York and Washington D.C. tour. The scholarship includes:

International travel
Accommodation
Program tuition and activities
Domestic travel in the United States
Cultural excursions
Insurance / meals jne

Participants are responsible for

Orientation: The participant and one parent must attend an in-person orientation in Riga.
Local Travel: Travel to and from the designated Baltic departure airport.
Visa/ESTA: Covering the ESTA fee (for Visa Waiver Program Travelers).
Pocket Money: Providing personal spending money for the three-week period (approximately $300).