The Franklin Fellowship: Forging Tomorrow’s Inventor-Diplomats
The Franklin Fellowship at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy is designed to nurture the next generation of inventor-diplomats who can bridge these worlds, much as Benjamin Franklin did in his time. We believe that the complex challenges of our era — from regulating autonomous systems to addressing pandemics — demand leaders who can navigate both the intricacies of emerging technologies and the nuances of global policy.
About the Franklin Fellowship at the McCourt School
Benjamin Franklin — synonymous with innovation, diplomacy and visionary thinking — was America’s original “inventor-diplomat.” Just as Franklin’s lightning rod revolutionized our understanding of electricity and safety, today’s emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence and biotechnology, are reshaping our world. And much like Franklin’s pivotal role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris, modern diplomats must navigate complex international agreements on pressing issues such as cybersecurity and climate change.
The Franklin Fellowship at the McCourt School brings together promising students from diverse backgrounds — future policymakers, innovators and thought leaders — and immerses them in a unique interdisciplinary experience. Franklin Fellows will:
- Engage in cutting-edge research at the intersection of technology and policy, mirroring Franklin’s scientific inquiries that informed his diplomatic work
- Collaborate with industry leaders and government officials, gaining hands-on experience in both the tech sector and policy world
- Develop projects that address real-world challenges, such as creating ethical frameworks for AI or designing sustainable energy solutions
- Cultivate the skills to build bridges between innovators and policymakers, much as Franklin did between the American colonies and European powers
By fostering a deep understanding of both technological innovation and diplomatic finesse, the Franklin Fellowship aims to create a new breed of leaders. These Fellows will be equipped to:
- Shape policies that harness the power of technology for the greater good, much like Franklin’s advocacy for the free sharing of his stove design for public benefit
- Establish companies that prioritize global impact, inspired by Franklin’s creation of civic institutions like the Library Company of Philadelphia
- Forge international collaborations that drive progress, following in the footsteps of Franklin’s work with the French Academy of Sciences
The Franklin Fellowship offers hands-on opportunities in the technology and policy realms. A policy-inclined fellow might spend the summer interning at a cutting-edge tech startup, developing new solutions for pressing global issues and getting practical exposure to how innovation drives our world. A technology-inclined fellow might work in a congressional office, committee office or department office, drafting policy briefs on the implications of these very technologies.
Application
Open to all first-year McCourt students, the Franklin Fellowship will be awarded to up to two students, each receiving $8,500 to support a Summer 2025 internship or research project in the technology sector or the public sector, depending on their experiences and backgrounds.
McCourt students who begin their first year in Fall 2024 are eligible for consideration by submitting an application by November 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Applicants are asked to submit a resume or CV and describe their area of policy interest and how they intend to use their McCourt School education and internship to advance their knowledge of technology policy.
Details
- Eligible applicants include all first-year McCourt students who began their programs in the fall of 2024. Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply.
- Franklin Fellows will be matched to summer-long internships in 2025, receiving an $8,500 stipend.
- Franklin Fellows will be expected to participate in mentoring and networking sessions, as well as present their experiences and lessons learned at the end of the internship.
Join us in carrying forward Benjamin Franklin’s legacy. Together, we’ll empower a new generation to spark innovation, foster understanding and shape a better future for all. The Franklin Fellowship is more than just a program — it’s a launchpad for the inventor-diplomats who will guide our world through the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century and beyond. For questions, please contact the McCourt School’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, Leslie Evertz (lse5@georgetown.edu ).