The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a prestigious Fulbright program designed to bring accomplished young and mid-career professionals from developing countries to the United States for ten months of non-degree graduate study and related professional experience. Established in 1978 to honour the legacy of Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, the program aims to foster leadership and collaboration in addressing global challenges.
The program is designed to meet the requirements of policymakers, planners, administrators, and managers in the government, public and private sectors, and non-governmental organizations, who have a public service commitment, demonstrated leadership potential, and commitment to their own country's development.
The Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for professionals in leadership roles, committed to public service and the development of their countries. Fellows engage in academic studies and gain practical professional experience to enhance their skills and broaden their knowledge across various fields.
The Humphrey fellows undertake master's level work directly related to their professional needs and fields of interest but does not result in the awarding of a degree. They are assigned in clusters of 8-15 to the institution offering the most appropriate program in their area of interest. These clusters are balanced geographically, permitting interaction among fellows from various countries. The host universities are chosen for their excellence in the Humphrey fields and for the resources and support they offer Humphrey Fellows. Programs arranged for the Humphrey fellows will begin in August 2026. Programs include academic course work at the master's level, and place considerable emphasis on activities such as seminars, special projects, field trips, attendance at professional meetings and conferences, networking with professional counterparts, and professional affiliations with appropriate organizations. These activities provide fellows with practical experience in their fields outside the university setting. Each fellow designs his/her individual program with the Humphrey coordinator’s assistance.
During their Humphrey year, fellows are expected to be resourceful, display initiative, and network with U.S. organizations and professionals.
HUMPHREY/ NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) FELLOWSHIPS
These fellowships are designed to provide training in prevention research, epidemiology, treatment and substance abuse policy research. Candidates in this field may be focused on problems of alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse as well as broader areas of public health that relate to substance abuse, such as HIV/AIDS, mental health, medicine, psychology, social work and counseling. Previous Humphrey recipients in the substance abuse field have come from universities, community-based treatment and prevention program, hospitals, criminal justice settings and local or national policy agencies.
The program fields of study are grouped in four categories:
For a more in-depth summary of each field and candidate’s suitability, please refer to the field of study one-pager here.
The program is designed for young and mid-career professionals with leadership potential who are committed to public service. Applicants should have relevant professional experience and the potential for professional advancement. Women and candidates from minority and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates should demonstrate the required experience, skills, and commitment while also indicating how they can benefit from this program in ways that they have not experienced previously and are not likely to experience without the Humphrey program.
Candidates should be proficient in both written and spoken English and will be required to take Internet-based Test (iBT) of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
English Language Training:
The Humphrey Fellowship Program will offer an intensive 12-week pre-academic English Training Program (ET) opportunity to a select number of candidates requiring additional English language support.
In addition to the General Prerequisites, the applicant:
Candidates meeting any of the following descriptions will be rendered technically ineligible to participate in the Humphrey Program:
Previous Experience in the United States or Third Country
a. Previous experience in the United States is not necessarily a disqualifying factor provided the number of years spent in the United States has not been substantial (more than three years), and the candidate has been back in their home country and employed at a level of professional responsibility for at least four years.
b. A candidate with recent third-country experience, especially in developed countries, may have a less compelling need for the Humphrey Fellowship Program than one without significant professional opportunity abroad. If a candidate has had recent professional or study experience in another developed country, the Nomination Committee Report should clearly explain why this experience did not address their need for professional training and leadership development.
The fellowship provides tuition and fees, a monthly maintenance allowance, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, a modest allowance for books and supplies, round-trip international air travel to the host institution, and allowances for professional activities such as field trips, professional visits, and conferences. These fellowships do not provide an allowance for dependents, and the stipend provided under the grant is not sufficient to support family members. The program will involve a number of activities where it will be difficult to include dependents.
Note:
Timeline and Placement Process
July 10, 2025 | Application due date for 2026-2027 awards |
Early August 2025 | Screening applications to short-list candidates |
Mid-August 2025 | USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome |
End August 2025 | National interviews of short-listed candidates |
End August 2025 | USIEF notifies the nominees. Nominees take TOEFL |
Mid-September 2025 | USIEF forwards applications of nominees to the Humphrey Program Office, in Washington, D.C. |
April 2026 | USIEF expects to receive the Humphrey selection cable from Washington, D.C. |
April 2026 | USIEF notifies the finalists |
May 2026 | 12-week preacademic English Training program begins for a select number of candidates requiring additional English language support |
August/September 2026 | Humphrey program begins |
Visit https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/ for more details on Humphrey Fellowship Program.
For any queries contact: ffsp@usief.org.in
Application Due Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)