The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2026-27

The prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 academic year. This fully funded, 10-month fellowship in the United States is designed for mid-career professionals who are passionate about public service and leadership in their respective fields.

About programme

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was established in 1978 to honor the legacy of the late U.S. Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. A part of the prestigious Fulbright exchange, the program brings accomplished mid-career professionals from around the world to the United States for a ten-month, non-degree Fellowship focused on academic enrichment and professional development.

Fellows are selected through a rigorous, competitive process based on their leadership potential and commitment to public service in the public or private sectors. Since its inception, the program has welcomed more than 6,600 Fellows from 163 countries, creating a vibrant global network of changemakers.

The 10-month long program empowers international professionals to collaborate with U.S. counterparts, exchange best practices, and build expertise in areas critical to social progress, such as human rights, sustainable development, institutional capacity building, and community advancement. Through tailored academic study, leadership training, and practical professional experiences, Humphrey Fellows strengthen their ability to address both local and global challenges.

By fostering mutual understanding and long-term partnerships, the Humphrey Fellowship contributes to a more connected, knowledgeable, and cooperative world. It also supports cross-cultural dialogue and increases U.S. citizens’ awareness of global issues and diverse cultures.

Program Components

• Non-Degree Academic Study: Humphrey Fellows engage in individualized academic programs at one of approximately 13 selected U.S. universities. These host institutions are chosen through a competitive process based on their ability to offer strong academic and professional resources in the Fellows’ fields of interest.
• Because the program is non-degree, Fellows have the flexibility to design a self-directed course of study free from the constraints of a traditional degree curriculum. Fellows take academic courses relevant to their professional goals, participate in seminars, and connect with faculty advisors and coordinators who provide ongoing academic and administrative support.

Leadership and Professional Development

A key feature of the Humphrey Fellowship is its focus on practical leadership development and professional growth. Fellows participate in:

• Professional visits
• Conferences and training workshops
• Skill-building seminars
• A Professional Affiliation (PA) – a full-time placement in a U.S.-based organization for a minimum of six weeks, offering real-world exposure and hands-on learning in the Fellow’s field

With support from faculty advisors and campus coordinators, each Fellow creates a customized professional development plan aligned with their goals and the program’s objectives.

Program Duration

The Fellowship begins in August or early September and continues through the following June (10 months). In some cases, Fellows may be required to arrive 8–16 weeks earlier for intensive English language training prior to starting their university program.

All Fellows must commit to participating fully in both the English language training (if applicable) and the academic year program.

Financial Support

The Humphrey Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including:

• A monthly living stipend
• Health and accident insurance
• Tuition and mandatory university fees
• Round-trip international airfare
• Domestic travel for required program activities
• Settling-in and book allowances
• A professional development allowance
• A computer subsidy (when applicable)

Dependents: Fellows may bring family members on J-2 visas at their own expense. Dependents may not join the Fellow during the English language training period or within the first month of arrival. Proof of financial resources must be provided to support dependents during the Fellowship.

Eligibility requirements

Candidates must be policymakers, managers, or administrators in leadership positions with commitment to public service from the public or private sectors including non-governmental organizations. Fellowships are competitive and will be awarded based on excellence in professional and personal qualifications as well as leadership potential. 

All applicants must:

• Possess Nepali citizenship 
• Be employed at a mid-career, policy level with progressively more responsible working experience in the government, NGO or private sector 
• Have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Nepal as of the application submission deadline. Volunteer jobs, internships, and work done as a requirement for an academic degree shall not be counted towards the required duration of work experience. 
• Professional experience should be in the relevant field, after the completion of a university degree, i.e. a 4-year bachelor’s degree, or, if the bachelor’s degree is of 2-year/3-year duration, then a master’s degree is also required. Candidates who have two or more 2-year/3-year bachelor’s degrees in different fields, but who do not have a master’s degree, are not eligible to apply. 
• Be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English (see the Supplemental English Program) 
• Have a demonstrable commitment to public service and potential for national leadership 
• Have the intention to develop problem-solving capacities, enhance capabilities to assume greater career responsibilities, and return to a significant public service role upon completion of the Humphrey Program 

The Humphrey competition is not open to: 

• Recent university graduates (even if they have significant positions)
• University teachers with no management or policy responsibilities, except for teachers of English as a foreign language, and specialists in substance abuse prevention and treatment
• Individuals who have spent substantial time in the U.S. (more than 3 years) and have not been back in Nepal and employed at a level of professional responsibility for at least four years since returning
• Individuals who have attended a graduate school in the U.S. for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2026
• Individuals with more than six months of U.S. experience during the five years prior to August 2026
• Individuals who have participated in U.S. government- sponsored exchange programs within the last three years prior to August 2026
• Individuals with, or in the process of obtaining, dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status are ineligible for a J visa
• Local employees of the U.S. Mission in Nepal who work for the Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development, including temporary employees and contractors, and their spouses and dependent children (they are not eligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment).

Key dates

• Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
• 2025-2026 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2024-2025
• AY 2023-2024 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Application Open
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2022-2023

Official announcement: USEF Nepal