Educational and Cultural Exchanges

The J. William Fulbright Programs enable Beninese students and scholars to obtain advanced degrees and/or conduct research in the United States; at the same time, American scholars are awarded grants to study or conduct research in Benin.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program enables mid-level professionals from Benin to go to the U.S. for a year of academic study and professional internships.

The International Visitor Program seeks to increase mutual understanding through communication at the professional and personal levels.  Participants are selected by the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou and sent to the United States to meet and confer with professional counterparts, and to experience firsthand American society, institutions, and values.

The Citizen Exchange Program develops international exchange grant projects with American non-profit institutions, including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities.

The U.S. Speaker Program brings Americans representing government, business, academia, media, and community organizations for short-term speaking programs in Benin. Recent topics have included democratization, AGOA and the media.

Other exchange programs such as Study in the U.S.A. Program, National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for Secondary and University Educators, and Civitas International send Beninese on exchange programs to the U.S. and to conferences in other countries.

The Artistic Ambassador Program sends gifted young American musicians to perform in Benin and to work with Beninese musicians and music students.