Applications are now open for the 2027/28 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for international professionals: Fully Funded to USA

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Closing Date: 2 August 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027/28 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for international professionals: Fully Funded to USA

Are you a mid-career professional making a difference in your community or sector?

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2027–2028 cohort. This prestigious Fulbright exchange brings accomplished professionals to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and collaboration with U.S. counterparts.

The Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals who collaborate to address local and global challenges and foster change for our collective good.

2027/28 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Overview

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, brings mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts. The Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals who collaborate to address local and global challenges and foster change for our collective good. The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright exchange activity funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education.

During their stay at an American host university , Humphrey Fellows are invited to take graduate courses relevant to their professional interests. However, as the Humphrey Fellowship is not a degree program, participants spend a considerable portion of their time engaged in professional development activities, including consultations and affiliations with U.S. faculty and experts; professional visits and skills enhancement workshops; and conferences and training programs.

Eligibility Requirements:

Minimum of a four-year undergraduate degree (4-year BA, BTech or BA + Honors)
Minimum of five years of full-time professional experience beyond the attainment of a first university/undergraduate degree, prior to August 2026
Demonstrated leadership ability – Candidates should have achieved positions of significant responsibility at the national, regional or local level and show clear promise to assume greater future leadership roles
Record of public service in the community – Candidates’ careers must reflect a present and future commitment to public service, broadly defined in the public, NGO, or private sector
University lecturers – Candidates need to demonstrate management or policy responsibilities and experience.

Program Components:

Academic Enrichment

Humphrey Fellows are placed in cohorts at one of 7 Humphrey host universities based on the host university’s impact areas and the Fellows’ professional expertise. Humphrey Fellows partake in an educational experience where they learn from renowned faculty without the expectation of meeting specific degree or diploma requirements. This makes it possible for them to travel and network with American counterparts in their field of work, attend conferences, and engage in professional affiliation. The Humphrey program is classified as a non-degree program.

Humphrey Fellows cannot transfer from non-degree status to degree status. Humphrey Fellows pursue tailored study programs at participating host institutions, where the freedom from the requirements of a degree program gives each Fellow the flexibility to pursue a self-directed, individualized program.

Humphrey Seminar

The Humphrey Seminar is a required course where Humphrey Fellows develop their individual program goals and plan. It focuses on broad programmatic objectives, including an increased understanding of U.S. society and culture, professional networking, and leadership development.

Professional Affiliation

A core component of the Humphrey Fellowship Program is a six-week Professional Affiliation (PA) experience that allows Fellows to collaborate with U.S.-based organizations, share best practices and knowledge with U.S. professionals, and apply their classroom learning to real-world settings. Humphrey Fellows serve an essential role at U.S. organizations while forming connections and impact that last long beyond their Fellowship year.

2027/28 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Impact areas:

Communications and Journalism

Humphrey Fellows strengthen information integrity and U.S. influence in the global media space by their work in media and communications, including investigative and responsible journalism, national broadcasting, digital media, and public relations. They uphold individual freedoms in the digital age, manage strategic communications, promote free expression, and advance transparent media to strengthen information integrity and support open public debate.

Law and Governance

Humphrey Fellows advance rules-based systems that support U.S. security interests by working as attorneys, judges, law enforcement officials, policymakers, and civil society leaders, advancing the rule of law, strengthening security frameworks, and supporting fair and accountable justice systems. They work to combat transnational crime and trafficking, fight corruption, ensure accountability for violations on personal freedoms, and promote transparent and effective governance.

Natural Resources Policy

Humphrey Fellows drive policies that support energy independence, resource security, and economic resilience. Their work spans critical minerals, energy systems, water, and agriculture—ensuring reliable supply chains, strengthening food security, and reducing vulnerabilities that can be exploited by strategic competitors. This work directly supports U.S. economic strength and global stability.

Public and Economic Policy

Humphrey Fellows address critical public and economic policy challenges in multiple disciplines across local, regional, and national levels that drive economic growth, workforce development, and market expansion aligned with U.S. interests. They work in fields such as trade and investment, workforce development, education policy and administration, fiscal and monetary policy, public-private partnerships, and public sector management. Fellows design and implement evidence-informed policies that promote economic growth and security, strengthen institutions, and support effective domestic and foreign policy decision-making.

Public Health Policy and Management

Humphrey Fellows develop self-reliant and resilient local health systems in global health by addressing public health challenges, including preventing infectious disease outbreaks, through policy development, service delivery, surveillance, and institutional preparedness. Fellows serve as health policymakers, physicians, clinical managers, health educators, and practitioners, shaping policies that manage public health risks in ways that protect American lives and economic stability.

Technology Policy and Management

Humphrey Fellows develop and implement strategies and policies to manage the societal, economic, and security impacts of emerging and established technologies to ensure the United States and its partners lead in this area while against misuse by adversaries. They work on issues such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, biotechnology and health technologies, and technology’s role in urban planning, transportation, and workforce transformation.

The Fellowship provides for:

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

Online Application Link

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 2027/28 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, applicants must:

Be a citizen of an eligible country
Have an undergraduate (first university or Bachelor’s) degree
Have a minimum of five years of full-time professional experience
Demonstrated leadership qualities and a record of public service in the community
Limited experience in the United States
Demonstrated English language ability