Focus area · Education and Research Diplomacy

Classrooms, campuses, and the world in the room.

Education at WorldBoston spans two pillars: NextGen, our youth and student programs, and Academic & Research Exchanges — the Fulbright scholars, university partners, and research-track delegations that knit Boston's campuses into the council's diplomacy work.

Students in a NextGen seminar
19
Years of WorldQuest
12+
Partner campuses
500+
Fulbright scholars hosted
Pillar

NextGen

Youth and student programs — high schoolers and college students practicing diplomacy, meeting visiting leaders, and competing nationally.

Pillar

Academic & Research Exchanges

Fulbright Visiting Scholars, university partnerships, and research-track programming that connects international scholars with Boston's academic community.

Pillar 01 · NextGen

Four ways students step into global affairs.

/ 01Undergrad & Grad

Green Room Scholars

We pair undergraduate and graduate students with our visiting speakers — backstage at Great Decisions and Chat & Chowder — for a one-on-one mentorship moment most students never get. Scholars come from Tufts, BU, Northeastern, UMass, Bunker Hill, and more.

/ 02Middle school – College

Global Affairs in Frame

A free, classroom-ready video library of 25+ recorded conversations with authors, former diplomats, and field leaders. Each comes with discussion questions and an in-class activity. Used by teachers from middle school through college.

/ 03High school & College

Diplomacy Simulations

Trained by the National Museum of American Diplomacy, our staff runs three-hour simulations — in-person or on Zoom — across ten global challenges from migration to nuclear proliferation. Students leave having actually negotiated.

/ 04High school

Academic WorldQuest

A fast-paced team competition for high school students on global politics, geography, economics, and culture. Now in its 19th year. Winning teams travel to Washington, DC for the national championship.

Pillar 02 · Academic & Research Exchanges

Where the council meets the campus.

/ 01

Fulbright Visiting Scholars

Academia plays a major role in the culture and growth of our region. Every year, we proudly welcome Fulbright scholars to the Boston area, bringing them together with local peers — and pioneers — to deepen their expertise.

/ 02

University Partnerships

Standing relationships with Tufts, BU, Northeastern, UMass Boston, Bunker Hill, MA Maritime Academy, and others — joint programming, internships, and a back-channel for visiting delegations interested in research collaboration.

/ 03

Research-track IVLP & Custom Programs

When State Department visitors or sponsored delegations come with a research agenda — climate, public health, AI policy, urban innovation — we build the meeting schedule with the labs and centers doing the work.

"Academic WorldQuest expanded my understanding of the world and my own role within it. I would never have considered an internationally-minded career without it."

— Boston Latin School student

Get involved

Education runs on people who fund, partner, and host it.

Sponsorship

Underwrite a NextGen cohort, Academic WorldQuest, or scholarship support.

Partnership

Co-design research exchanges, Fulbright placements, or classroom programming.

Hosting

Host visiting scholars, student delegations, or Diplomacy Simulations on campus.

Funding

Contribute to the NextGen fund — keeps every student program tuition-free.