Welcome to the online application portal for the French-American Foundation's 2025 Young Leaders program.

Application deadline: Friday, March 14 at 11:59 PM ET

This form is for US-based candidates only — candidates based in France or Europe should apply to our sister Foundation in France at www.french-american.org.

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Young Leaders attend two 5-day meetings over the course of two years, one in France and one in the United States, held during late October each year. The 2025 Young Leaders seminar will be held in Marseille, France from Tuesday, October 21 – Saturday, October 25, 2025 (departing on Sunday, October 26). Participants are asked to reserve these dates on their calendars. Those who are unable to attend the October seminar will not be selected as Young Leaders. The Foundation covers the travel and lodging expenses of the Young Leaders for the two meetings. To learn more about past Young Leaders seminars and events, click here.

Candidates are evaluated based on their past leadership experience, their potential to attain the highest level of leadership in their chosen profession, and their ability to contribute to the enrichment of today’s world. Of equal importance are a candidate’s enthusiasm to participate in the program and their interest in being an active member of the Young Leaders alumni community. The French-American Foundation also aims to select Young Leaders with diverse experiences, enabling program participants to develop relationships with French and American leaders across a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Please note: A candidate’s prior experience in, knowledge of, or connection to France or French culture will not be a defining factor in their evaluation. Given they demonstrate a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully to transatlantic dialogue and interest in cross-cultural leadership, candidates with strong ties to France and candidates with less exposure to the country both have potential to contribute to the program and will receive equal consideration.

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Eligibility

New members of each U.S. class of Young Leaders are selected via a highly competitive application process. All interested candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to submit an application to the French-American Foundation—United States.

Applicants are eligible to apply if they:

• Are between 30 and 40 years old at the time of applying.
• Are living and working in the United States, with US citizenship or US residency established. Candidates who live and work in France, or who are planning to do so, should apply to the French-American Foundation–France's Young Leaders Program.
• Demonstrate an outstanding level of leadership in their field and a desire to meaningfully contribute to transatlantic dialogue.
• Commit to attending the full portion of the two annual seminars. Seminars are 5 days long and are held during the last two weeks of October.

The 2025 Young Leaders seminar will be held in Marseille, France from Tuesday, October 21 to Saturday, October 25 (departing on Sunday, October 26). Participants are asked to reserve these dates on their calendars and will be removed from consideration should they be unable to attend.
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Application guidelines

1) Please create a Submittable account to make an application. All elements should be in English. After completing the biodata form and short answer questions, please upload the following documents:

• A personal statement (up to 400 words)
• A resume
• A copy of your passport photo page
• An innovative way of introducing yourself. For example, applicants have sent photo collages, power point presentations, videos (2 minutes maximum); and written materials. This is a chance for you to get creative and help us get to know you beyond your resume.
• At least one letter of recommendation from a colleague, mentor, boss, etc., with whom you have worked closely and who knows you in a personal and professional capacity. The letter of recommendation serves as a detailed and personalized assessment of an applicant's skills and character, as well as a testament to how they would be a good fit for the program. Only one letter is required, and applicants may submit a maximum of two letters. All applications will receive equal consideration regardless of the number of letters of recommendation submitted.

2) Don't forget to click the "Submit" button to send your application. More information about the program and the selection process can be found at https://frenchamerican.org/young-leaders/apply/.

Thank you,

The French-American Foundation–United States