Humphrey Program

The Humphrey Fellowship Program provides mid-career professionals from designated countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia with an opportunity to enhance their professional capabilities through participation in specialized, 10-month, nondegree programs developed specifically for small clusters of Humphrey Fellows at selected U.S. universities.

The Humphrey Program was initiated in 1978 to honor the memory and accomplishments of the late Senator and Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey. Fellows are selected based on their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service, in either the public or private sector in the following Humphrey fields:

• Agriculture & rural development;
• Communication/Journalism;
• Substance abuse education, treatment & prevention;
• Economic development;
• Finance & Banking;
• Educational administration, planning & policy;
• HIV/AIDS policy & prevention;
• Human resource management;
• Law & human rights;
• Natural resources, environment policy, & climate change;
• Public health policy management;
• Public policy analysis & public administration;
• Teaching of English as a foreign language;
• Technology policy & management;
• Trafficking in persons, policy & prevention; and
• Urban & regional planning.

The Program provides a basis for establishing long-lasting productive partnerships and relationships between citizens of the United States and their counterparts in other countries, fostering an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding throughout the world.

Funding for the Humphrey Program is provided by the U.S. government through the United States Department of State and other co-sponsors. The Institute of International Education (IIE) collaborates with the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in administering the program. The types of university programs arranged for Humphrey Fellows depart from a traditional discipline-oriented focus and have a problem-solving and experience-sharing emphasis. The programs are not degree-related or aimed at providing scholarly preparation or basic training in a field.

The objective is to provide Humphrey Fellows with an overall experience that broadens their perspectives, enhances their capability to assume greater career responsibilities, and provides opportunities to establish useful professional contacts. To accomplish these objectives, programs are designed to include various combinations of course work, independent projects, internships, consultations with U.S. faculty experts, field trips, and special seminars. Under the guidance of a designated faculty advisor or “coordinator”, Fellows plan programs that best suit their individual career development needs.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• An undergraduate (first university or Bachelor’s) degree
• A minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience
• Limited or no prior experience in the United States
• Demonstrated leadership qualities
• A record of public service in the community
• English language ability

Fellowship Worth:

• Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university;
• Pre-academic English language training, if required;
• A maintenance (living) allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance;
• Accident and sickness coverage;
• A book allowance;
• A one-time computer subsidy;
• Air travel (international travel to and from the U.S. for the Program and domestic travel to required program events);
• A Professional Development allowance for professional activities, such as field trips, professional visits and conferences.

Program Details:

• The Program extends from August of each year to June of the following year.
• Applicants who need additional English training may be required to arrive in the United States as early as late May for intensive language study before beginning their regular university program.
• Candidates must be able to participate in the full period of the English and/or university programs.

How to Apply:

• View List of Participating Countries in Sub Saharan Africa

Please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy or Binational Fulbright Commission in your country for more information about application procedures and deadlines.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2018