UU.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (administered by the Institute of International Education)
Fully funded
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (administered by the Institute of International Education), United States
Scholarship overview
The Humphrey Fellowship is a Fulbright exchange that brings mid-career professionals from priority countries to the United States for non-degree study and professional experience, with the aim of building partnerships that support U.S. foreign policy goals. It is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by IIE.
The Fellowship is a non-degree programme of about ten months. Fellows may take academic coursework but do not earn a degree. Cohorts of 13-15 Fellows are placed at one of 7 host universities chosen for their field and interests; Fellows cannot choose their university.
Programme components
- Professional Affiliation: a six-week placement with U.S.-based organisations.
- Humphrey Seminar: a required course in which Fellows set individual goals and plans.
- Global Leadership Forum: an event in Washington, D.C. building leadership, professional skills and cross-sector collaboration.
- Professional development: thematic workshops, events with policymakers and scholars, and networking.
- Academic enrichment: non-degree study at the host university.
Award Information
- Be a citizen of an eligible country (148 countries across East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Western Hemisphere, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Brazil and Indonesia; check the country list).
- Hold a first university (bachelor's) degree.
- Have at least five years of full-time professional experience; part-time work may not qualify.
- Show leadership qualities and a record of public service in your community.
- Have limited experience in the United States. Earlier time in the U.S. does not automatically disqualify you if you spent no more than three years there and have worked at a professional level in your home country for at least four years since returning.
- Demonstrate English language ability. TOEFL, IELTS and the Duolingo English Test are accepted.
- Reapplication is generally possible; check current rules with your embassy or commission.
- Tuition and fees at the host university.
- Living allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance.
- Accident and sickness coverage.
- Book allowance.
- One-time computer subsidy.
- Air travel to and from the U.S. and domestic travel to required programme events.
- Professional development allowance for field trips, visits and conferences.
- Dependants may be brought to the U.S. after arrival, with no extra living allowance; visa approval requires proof of financial support, insurance meeting State Department requirements and child care plans. Not all countries allow dependants.
Deadlines vary by country; the U.S. Embassy or Binational Fulbright Commission gives its own internal deadline. Nominations go to IIE in Washington, D.C. by mid-September, selections are announced in March of the following year, and Fellows begin in the U.S. between August and September of that year.
- Find your country's U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) or Binational Fulbright Commission.
- Contact that office for the Humphrey application and its deadline, and check that your country is on the eligibility list.
- Complete every question, with English essays that fully address each prompt.
- Submit two English recommendation letters, one from your current employer.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Completed application with English essays.
- Two English recommendation letters, one from your current employer.
- Official English transcripts; diploma only if the transcript does not prove the degree.
How selection works
The U.S. Embassy or Binational Fulbright Commission in each country identifies and nominates candidates (Commissions run the programme in 28 countries, Embassy Public Affairs Sections elsewhere). IIE receives nominations and Fellows are placed in cohorts at host institutions.
