BAFF - Baltic-American Freedom Foundation

10/06/2026

✨ Celebrating 15 Years of BAFF in the Baltics ✨

On June 9, we were delighted to welcome BAFF alumni, partners, and friends to Vabamu in Tallinn to celebrate 15 years of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation's impact across the Baltic States.
Over the past 15 years, BAFF has connected more than 1,200 alumni with educational and professional opportunities in the United States, helping strengthen Baltic-American ties and support the next generation of leaders.
The evening featured inspiring stories of BAFF impact, the premiere of BAFF’s new video, and meaningful conversations among members of the BAFF community. We were honored to celebrate together with representatives from the U.S. Embassy Tallinn, Estonia, AmCham Estonia, and many of our valued partners and supporters.
As we reflected on BAFF’s journey, we also honored our roots. BAFF was established with support from the Baltic-American Enterprise Fund (BalAEF), whose vision helped lay the foundation for stronger transatlantic connections and opportunities for future generations of Baltic leaders.
Most of all, it was a warm and wonderful evening filled with reconnecting, sharing experiences, and celebrating the people who make the BAFF community so special.
Thank you to everyone who joined us! 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇺🇸




Photo credit: Rene Lutterus

01/06/2026

🌟 Last Saturday, May 30, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF) Leadership Academy 2026 cohort gathered in Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻 for their Pre-Departure Orientation, marking the beginning of an exciting journey ahead. ✈️

🤝 Participants from Lithuania 🇱🇹, Latvia 🇱🇻, and Estonia 🇪🇪 came together to prepare for their upcoming leadership development experience in the United States 🇺🇸. Throughout the day, they learned more about the program, connected with fellow participants, met BAFF representatives, and discussed what to expect during their time in the U.S.

💡 The orientation provided a valuable opportunity to build connections across the Baltics, exchange ideas, and begin forming the network that will support participants throughout their Leadership Academy experience and beyond.

🚀 We are excited to see this outstanding group of emerging leaders embark on their journey and look forward to following their experiences in the months ahead!

🌍✨

04/05/2026

🇱🇻 Happy Restoration of Independence Day, Latvia!
On May 4, 1990, Latvia took a courageous step toward reclaiming its independence, inspiring the Baltic path to freedom through strength, unity, and an unbreakable national spirit.
We celebrate the resilience, pride, and enduring freedom of Latvia today and always!

24/04/2026

From Lithuania to New York City 🇱🇹➡️🇺🇸

Meet Vesta Špakauskaitė, a BAFF Professional Internship Program participant, who has been making the most of her experience at Protheragen Inc. since October. In just a short time, she has gone from joining client meetings to confidently leading them herself—gaining firsthand insight into the fast-paced world of business development in pre-clinical research.

Beyond work, Vesta has embraced the full NYC experience: exploring museums, volunteering in Central Park, and even ticking off a “Home Alone 2” dream by seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and Rockettes in person 🎄✨

Living with her colleague and building meaningful connections along the way has made her journey even more special. And with a West Coast national parks adventure already on the horizon, her story is just getting started.

“𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦… 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙.”

Inspired? You could be next.

Apply to the BAFF Professional Internship Program today—deadline extended until April 30!
More information about BAFF Professional Internship Program: https://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/programs/professional-internship-program

20/04/2026

🎤 Meet Our Speakers – BAFF Webinar Spotlight!
From the Baltics to the U.S., these talented interns are currently gaining hands-on experience in their fields—and they’re ready to tell it all:

✨ Katriin Liselle Eenmaa (Estonia)
A specialist in UX, e-commerce, web development, and design, Katriin is currently working as an analyst at IXL Center in Boston.

✨ Līga Mame (Latvia)
A marketing strategist and project manager, Līga is gaining experience as a Marketing Project Coordinator at Howard Hanna NYC.

✨ Karolis Gritenas (Lithuania)
Focused on Conservation and Restoration Ecology, Karolis is working as a Conservation Action Planning Intern at the Forest Preserves of Cook County in Chicago.

During the webinar, they will share:
• Their personal journey into the BAFF Internship Program
• Cultural differences and everyday life in the U.S.
• Real experiences from their workplaces
• Honest insights, tips, and advice for future applicants

📅 When: April 22
🕓 Time: 16:00–17:00 (Baltic time)
💻 Where: MS Teams Webinar
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/pnQ5MhhHTear4sWX9

Ask questions, get inspired, and see where BAFF could take you! 🇺🇸

15/04/2026

🌍 Experience the U.S. Like Never Before – Through the Eyes of BAFF Interns! Curious about what it’s really like to live and work in the United States as part of the BAFF Professional Internship Program? ✈️🇺🇸

Join our upcoming webinar and hear directly from 3 current BAFF participants who are gaining hands-on experience across the U.S. They’ll share honest insights into their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, the surprises along the way, and the moments that are shaping their personal and professional growth.

During the webinar, you’ll discover:
✨ What motivated them to pursue an internship in the U.S.
✨ Expectations vs. reality—what it’s really like on the ground
✨ Memorable experiences, from cultural discoveries to career highlights
✨ Practical tips

📅 When: April 22
🕕 Time: 16:00–17:00 Baltic time
💻 Where: MS Teams Webinar

👉 Register here to receive the webinar link: https://forms.gle/pnQ5MhhHTear4sWX9

Whether you’re planning to apply or simply exploring your options, this is your chance to hear real stories and get valuable advice from those who are living the experience right now.

09/04/2026

📣 Puikios naujienos! Pratęstas paraiškų teikimo terminas į 𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐅 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞̇𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚̨ 𝐉𝐀𝐕 🇺🇸 – 𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐢 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐤𝐢 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐳̌𝐢𝐨 𝟑𝟎 𝐝.

Jei svarstai apie tarptautinę patirtį, karjeros augimą ir naujas galimybes – tai tavo šansas 👇
🔗 https://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/programs/professional-internship-program

Taip pat kviečiame prisijungti į internetinį seminarą-konsultaciją, kur sužinosi viską apie programą ir paraiškos teikimo procesą:
🗓 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐳̌𝐢𝐨 𝟐𝟏 𝐝.
🕒 𝟏𝟒:𝟎𝟎 𝐯𝐚𝐥.
💻 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 (𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬)
👉 Registracija: https://forms.gle/uyGNftv1NWK4vD958
(Užsiregistravę gaus prisijungimo nuorodą)

Nepraleisk progos – tavo tarptautinė patirtis gali prasidėti jau šiemet! ✈️



Vilniaus universitetas / Vilnius University
VILNIUS TECH
Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas / Vytautas Magnus University
KTU Kauno technologijos universitetas/Kaunas University of Technology
Mykolas Romeris University
ISM University of Management and Economics
Klaipeda University
Lietuvos studentų grupė
LMTA Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademija
Vilniaus universiteto Karjeros dienos

01/04/2026

🔬 𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐅 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
The Baltic-American Freedom Foundation announces an extension of the application deadline for the Research Scholar Program 2026.
Scholars from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania now have additional time to apply for this opportunity to pursue advanced research at leading U.S. universities and research institutions. The program supports the development of impactful academic work while fostering meaningful transatlantic collaboration and long-term scholarly exchange.
Applicants are encouraged to establish partnerships with host institutions in the United States, ensuring that their research is embedded in active academic cooperation and shared scientific goals.
If you are ready to bring your research into an international context and engage with a broader academic community, we invite you to take advantage of this extended timeline.
📅 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
More information and application details:
https://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/programs/research-scholar-program




Lietuvos mokslų akademija
Lietuvos jaunųjų mokslininkų forumas
Vilniaus universitetas / Vilnius University
VILNIUS TECH
Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU)
Eesti Maaülikool/Estonian University of Life Sciences
TalTech - Tallinna Tehnikaülikool
RTU - Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte
Rīga Stradiņš University (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte)
Latvijas Jauno zinātnieku apvienība

31/03/2026

🌍 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝!

You now have more time to apply for the 𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐅 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 and take the next step in your career.

This 9-month internship in the United States offers young Baltic professionals the chance to gain hands-on experience, work on real projects, and grow within a dynamic U.S. company environment.

🗓 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Don’t miss this extended opportunity to build your skills, expand your network, and shape your professional future.

Apply now: https://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/programs/professional-internship-program




Vilniaus universitetas / Vilnius University
VILNIUS TECH
KTU Kauno technologijos universitetas/Kaunas University of Technology
Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas / Vytautas Magnus Universityt
University of Tartu
Eesti Maaülikool/Estonian University of Life Sciences
TalTech - Tallinna Tehnikaülikool
Tallinn University
RTU - Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte
Rīga Stradiņš University (Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte)

The Professional Internship Program is a competitive and prestigious scholarship for the next generation of Baltic civic and business leaders. Get funding from our organization.

26/03/2026

Last Friday, a new group of BAFF Professional Internship Program and Research Scholar Program participants came together in Riga 🇱🇻 for their pre-departure orientation.
During the session, BAFF staff shared valuable insights on how to prepare for the journey ahead, what challenges to expect, and how to navigate cultural differences while living and working in the United States 🇺🇸. Participants also gained practical advice on how to make the most of their experience and truly enjoy every moment of the program.

As part of BAFF’s mission to strengthen ties between the Baltic States and the United States through education and exchange, these programs provide a unique opportunity to build professional expertise, advance research, and grow both personally and professionally.

With fresh knowledge and motivation, this talented group will soon be ready to begin their international journeys, embracing new opportunities, challenges, and experiences ahead.

We wish all participants the very best of luck and an enriching, successful journey!