Gilman Scholars EU study tour to Brussels

From 22-25 February 2026, the GOPA Worldwide Consultants-led Consortium successfully delivered the 5th Gilman Scholars EU Study Visit to Brussels, as part of the EU’s Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI)’s Education Outreach Project II.
 
The overall objective is to build long-term affinity for the European Union in the US and strengthen the transatlantic relationship among diverse younger generations of US citizens. Through a structured education “pipeline,” spanning secondary school competitions, university-level challenges, leadership seminars, study tours, and alumni engagement, the project positions education as a core instrument of EU public diplomacy.
 
The 5th Gilman Scholars EU study tour
 
The 5th Gilman Scholars EU study tour brought 20 undergraduate students from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Programme to Brussels. Gilman Scholars are high-achieving students from underrepresented and lower socio-economic backgrounds who are currently studying abroad in Europe.
 
Over three intensive days, participants engaged directly with EU institutions and transatlantic stakeholders, including:
 
• The European Commission
• The European External Action Service (EEAS), with sessions on EU foreign policy, transatlantic relations, and space security
• The European Parliament, including an exchange with MEP Rasa Juknevičienė and a visit to the hemicycle
• The Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, offering a Member State perspective on Council dynamics
• The U.S. Mission to the European Union

GOPA's role: Delivering public diplomacy and education outreach in practice
 
These visits are a core component of the EU’s youth-focused public diplomacy strategy. By engaging diverse US students already in Europe, the initiative strengthens long-term understanding of EU institutions and policies among key US audiences.
 
GOPA is responsible for delivering six study visits over three years (120 scholars in total). With this edition, 100 participants have taken part to date. Our role covers programme design, institutional coordination, logistics, communications, and impact assessment.