Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship

 

About the Award

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals from the Pacific Island diaspora communities—specifically individuals with heritage from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa—who are currently living in Australia to undertake a fully funded, ten-month, non-degree professional development program in the United States.

This prestigious program supports participants to enhance their leadership capabilities, expand their professional networks, and deepen their understanding of policy and practice in their fields. Through tailored placements at selected US universities, Fellows engage in academic coursework, professional affiliations, leadership development, and collaboration with US counterparts.

The program is funded by the US Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)

Category

Professionals

Program Duration

10 months (non-degree professional development program)

Number of Awards

7

Eligibility

General Criteria

Selection Considerations

Applicants must: Be a citizen of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, or Samoa (dual citizenship with Australia is acceptable) Be currently residing in Australia Have at least five years of full-time professional experience after completing their undergraduate degree Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to public or community service Be working in the public or non-profit sectors, including NGOs or education Be currently employed, with employer support for leave to undertake the program Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent Be proficient in English (minimum scores below): TOEFL iBT: 71 IELTS: 6.0 Duolingo: 115 Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) or equivalent

Candidates are selected based on: Proven leadership experience Potential to contribute to the development of their communities and fields Clear alignment between their professional goals and the Humphrey Program focus areas Readiness to engage in meaningful exchange and collaboration with US counterparts Applicants must not currently hold US permanent residency or citizenship, or be receiving another US government-funded scholarship.

Award Benefits

• Full program tuition and fees
• Monthly living stipend
• Book and supply allowance
• Round-trip international travel to the US
• Pre-academic English language training (if required)
• Domestic travel to a seminar in Washington, DC
• Supplementary funds for professional activities such as field trips or conferences

Note: The program does not provide funding for dependents. Fellows must be able to participate for the full duration of the fellowship and should plan to bring additional personal funds for incidental expenses.

Fields of Study

Humphrey Fellows are selected based on their field of professional focus, rather than geographic region. Applicants are encouraged to select a field that aligns with their career experience and goals.

The program’s eligible fields are grouped into four thematic categories:

Human and Institutional Capacity

• Economic Policy and Finance
• Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
• Technology Policy and Management

Rights and Freedoms

• Communications and Journalism
• Law and Human Rights

Sustainable Lands

• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
• Urban and Regional Planning

Thriving Communities

• Public Health Policy and Management
• Substance Abuse Education and Policy*
• Educational Administration, Planning, and Policy

*Note on Substance Abuse Education and Policy field: ECA cooperates with the National Institute on Drug Abuse which provides some co-funding to work with Humphrey Fellows specifically in the field of substance abuse. Candidates must have either a research background in the field or demonstrated ability to learn the results and policy implications of current research. The candidates should be recruited and ranked together with candidates in other Humphrey program fields of study and must complete the supplementary field-specific page of the application for this topic area.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online. You will be asked to provide:

• Completed application form
• English-language proficiency test results (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
• Two letters of recommendation (including one from your current supervisor)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (with English translations)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of identity (passport or government-issued ID)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1

About the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Established in 1978 to honour the legacy of US Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, this program aims to foster global collaboration through mutual exchange and professional enrichment. It is part of the broader family of Fulbright Exchange Programs.

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