What is the Humphrey Program and who are Humphrey Fellows?
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright exchange activity sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Humphrey Fellows are young and mid-career professionals from designated countries placed at U.S. universities for 10- months of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts. Fellows design and implement individualized programs to acquire career-related knowledge, interact with colleagues and gain professional expertise. These experiences are supplemented by university classes, field trips and site visits, and special workshops and seminars. Humphrey Fellows are J-1 visa holders and receive a maintenance stipend for housing, meals and incidentals, an allowance for professional development activities, and accident/sickness health benefits coverage meeting the J-visa requirements. The program is classified as a non-degree program by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Fellows cannot transfer from non-degree status to degree status under any circumstances.
The Humphrey Program aims to:
- Establish and enhance long-lasting productive partnerships and relationships between U.S. citizens and individuals from other parts of the world
- Develop leaders whose knowledge and skills have been informed by exposure to American values, models and ideas–leaders who will have a multiplier effect on their societies
- Expand and improve the range of international exchange and training programs
- Increase U.S. citizens knowledge and understanding of international issues and of other cultures and societies.
Program Fields:
Sustainable Development
- Agricultural and Rural Development
- Economic Development
- Finance and Banking
- Natural Resources, Environmental Policy, and Climate Change
- Urban and Regional Planning
Democratic Institution Building
- Communications/Journalism
- Law and Human Rights
- Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
- Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention
- Technology Policy and Management
- Human Resource Management
Education
- Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
- Higher Education Administration
Public Health
- Public Health Policy and Management
- HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
- Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- A minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience
- A limited or no prior experience in the United States
- A demonstrated leadership quality
- A record of public service in the community
- proficiency in English
Individuals in the following circumstances are Ineligible to apply for the Humphrey Fellowship:
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States, or their spouses
- Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States
- Teachers or University Professors
- Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored by the U.S. government for a period of more than six weeks in the last five years.
- Individuals who are employees or close family members or dependents of employees of MACECE, the US Embassy or the US Department of State
- 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
- Economy class 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
Humphrey Fellowships is a very competitive program for professional candidates from either the public or the private sectors. Fellows are selected by the binational Commission in Morocco on the basis of their overall record, their potential for future leadership in Morocco, and their commitment to public service. Final approval of candidates recommended by the Commission and the independent panels in Washington, D.C. is provided by the Fulbright Scholarship Board.
- Online Application Form
- Two letters of recommendation (One Academic and One Professional)
- All Diplomas + English translation
- All Transcripts + English translation
- Work Certificate+ English translation
- Authorization from your employer to participate in the Humphrey Fellowship (for Public Sector’s Employees)
- ITP test, Minimum score is 550 (contact AMIDEAST Rabat or Casablanca for more information about this test)
- September 1st
I worked part-time in a professional position while I was in graduate school. Does that qualify me for the Humphrey Fellowship Program?
Candidates for the Humphrey Program should have at least five years of full-time experience in their professional field and should be at a point in their careers to fully benefit from this mid-career program. Candidates with only part-time work experience may not be considered eligible.
May I bring my family with me?
Fellows may choose to apply to have their family join them shortly after they have arrived in the U.S. Careful consideration should be given to bringing one’s family, however, as the Humphrey Program is very demanding, and Fellows spend considerable time away from their host campus. The Humphrey Program also does not provide an additional maintenance allowance for dependents. Fellows must show proof of financial support, adequate insurance coverage for their dependents that meets U.S. State Department requirements, and childcare plans before they may be approved to apply for J-2 visa(s) for their dependents. Not all countries permit Humphrey Fellows to bring their dependents during their Fellowship year. Please check with the Fulbright Commission for specific policies.
May I choose the university I will go to?
Fellows are not able to choose which university they will attend. Rather, they are assigned in diverse groups of 7-15 to the most appropriate host institution based on their area of interest and professional field.
What is the timeline of the Program?
Nominations must be submitted to the Institute of International Education office in Washington, DC by October 1. Fellowships are announced in March the following year and Humphrey Fellows start their program in the U.S. between April and September of the same year, depending on the amount of English language training required. The Program ends the following June. Fellows with inadequate TOEFL scores may be required to attend intensive English language training before the start of their Fellowship.
If I’m not selected this year, may I reapply?
Participants generally may reapply for the Program; however, please consult the Fulbright Commission for specific guidelines about doing so.
Is the Humphrey Program a degree-granting program?
The Humphrey Program is a non-degree program. Participants may complete academic coursework at their host university to update their academic and professional knowledge in their field, but they do not receive an academic degree as a result of their participation in the Program.
What is the application deadline?