EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Program Description

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings accomplished professionals from designated countries of African, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Eurasia to United States at a midpoint in their careers for a period of year of study and related professional experiences. The Humphrey Program was initiated in 1978 to honor the memory accomplishments of the late Senator and Vice-President, Hubert H. Humphrey.

About The Humphrey Program

The Humphrey Program is a Fulbright exchange activity. Its primary funding is provided by the United States Congress through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. Co-sponsors include other government Agencies, multinational organizations and private donors.

The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarships Board, appointed by the President to oversee and supervise the educational exchanges of the Fulbright Program, has overall responsibility for the final selection of Humphrey Fellows.

Since 1978, nearly 3,000 Fellows from over 140 countries have participated in the Program. For academic year 2001 - 2002, more than 140 Fellowships were awarded.

Program Administration

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State administers many of the U.S. Government's international cultural and educational exchange programs. The Bureau implements the Fulbright Program, which is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries…"

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is one of the leading nonprofit organizations in the field of global higher education and professional exchange. Founded in 1919 to promote peace and understanding it has offices throughout the United States and around the world, with its headquarters in New York. IIE assists the Department of State in administering the Fulbright Student Program, and the International Visitors Program. IIE also administers exchange programs for foundations, corporations, international agencies, and other agencies of the U.S. and other governments.

Fellows are selected based on their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service, in either the public or private sector.
The Program provides a basis for establishing long-lasting productive partnerships and relationships between citizens of the United States and their professional counterparts in other countries, fostering an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding throughout the world.
Fellowships are granted competitively to professional candidates specifically in the fields of:

• natural resources and environmental management
• public policy analysis and public administration
• economic development
• agricultural development/agricultural economics
• finance and banking
• human resource management
• urban and regional planning
• public health policy and management
• technology policy and management
• educational planning
• law, civil society, human rights, democratic development
• communications/journalism
• drug abuse treatment, prevention and education

During their fellowship year, Humphrey Fellows participate in programs that Combine graduate-level academic course work with professional development activities. The program is not designed to offer a degree, but to provide broad, professional enrichment through a combination of activities tailored to each Fellow's interests. Upon completion of the Program, participants receive special certificates from the U.S. government and the host university.

Humphrey Fellows are placed in groups at carefully selected U.S. universities. Each campus has a Humphrey Coordinator and advisors who provide academic and administrative support, helping each Fellow design and implement an individualized program of graduate-level course work and professional development activities.

Throughout the year, fellows participate in workshops and conferences that provide interaction with leaders from U.S. federal, state and local governments, multinational organizations and the private sector. These gatherings also provide a forum for discussion of issues of professional interest to the Fellows.

Humphrey Fellowships are limited to one academic year, preceded, if appropriate, by a period of English language training.

Participating Universities

Universities are selected competitively to host Fellows in groups by profession. Host institutions in 2001 - 2002 included:

• The American University
• Boston University
• Cornell University
• Emory University
• The Johns Hopkins University
• University Of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• University Of Missouri
• Pennsylvania State University
• Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey
• Tulane University
• University Of California, Davis
• University Of Washington, Seattle

Application Procedure/Financial Provisions

Interested applicants must apply in their home countries to the United States Embassy or Fulbright Commission. After national selection, final nominations are reviewed in the United States by independent review committees. These review committees make recommendations to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Awards are announced by April each year for Fellowships beginning in August/September.

To be eligible for a Humphrey Fellowship, applicants must have:

1. An undergraduate university degree
2. Five years of substantial professional experience in the home country immediately preceding application
3. Demonstrated leadership qualities and record of public service
4. Fluency in English

Humphrey Fellowships provide: international/domestic travel, tuition fees, accident/sickness insurance, monthly maintenance and funding for educational materials and professional activities. The Humphrey Program does not provide financial support for accompanying dependants.

For more information contact:

Dr. Justus Mbae
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Nairobi
Telephone: 363-6194; cell-phone 0721-550217