By experts and staff
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is pleased to announce a transformative $15 million gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation to strengthen and expand the Blavatnik Internship Program. Including both endowment and current-use support, this generous commitment more than doubles the foundation’s original investment in the program and builds on its remarkable success.
“We hope this expanded program will open doors for the next generation of leaders and equip them to tackle the defining challenges of our time,” said Len Blavatnik, founder of Access Industries and CFR life member.
This new gift allows CFR to grow its program by offering full-time internships for the summer cohort and to meet growing operating costs. The expansion will give participants a richer, more sustained experience at the institution, deepening their engagement with CFR’s scholars and programs. The Blavatnik Internship Program reflects CFR’s commitment to cultivating diverse, talented voices in the foreign policy community and preparing tomorrow’s global experts to navigate an increasingly complex world.
“The Blavatnik Family Foundation’s continued investment in CFR’s internship program reflects a shared commitment to developing the next cohort of foreign policy leaders,” said CFR President Michael Froman. “This gift expands access to paid internships, ensuring that talented students and recent graduates can pursue opportunities regardless of financial circumstances. It strengthens one of the most competitive and prestigious internship programs in the field and ensures that CFR remains a place where tomorrow’s leaders come to learn, engage, and prepare for careers in service to the nation and the world. We are deeply grateful to Len Blavatnik and the Blavatnik Family Foundation for their extraordinary generosity, vision, and long-standing partnership with CFR.”
The program was established in January 2020 through a $12 million gift from the foundation. Since its launch, the program has supported more than 1,000 young professionals and grown into one of the most sought-after opportunities in the field, attracting an average of 58,000 applicants annually for 140 internships.
About the Blavatnik Family Foundation
The Blavatnik Family Foundation provides many of the world’s best researchers, scientists, and future leaders with the support and funding needed to solve humankind’s greatest challenges. Led by Len Blavatnik, founder of Access Industries, the foundation advances and promotes innovation, discovery, and creativity to benefit the whole of society. To date, the foundation has contributed over $1.5 billion to more than 300 organizations.
For more information, please contact the Global Communications team at [email protected].