The Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for professionals in leadership roles, committed to public service and the development of their countries. Fellows engage in academic studies and gain practical professional experience to enhance their skills and broaden their knowledge across various fields.

The Humphrey fellows undertake master's level work directly related to their professional needs and fields of interest but does not result in the awarding of a degree. They are assigned in clusters of 8-15 to the institution offering the most appropriate program in their area of interest. These clusters are balanced geographically, permitting interaction among fellows from various countries. The host universities are chosen for their excellence in the Humphrey fields and for the resources and support they offer Humphrey Fellows. Programs arranged for the Humphrey fellows will begin in August 2026. Programs include academic course work at the master's level, and place considerable emphasis on activities such as seminars, special projects, field trips, attendance at professional meetings and conferences, networking with professional counterparts, and professional affiliations with appropriate organizations. These activities provide fellows with practical experience in their fields outside the university setting. Each fellow designs his/her individual program with the Humphrey coordinator’s assistance.

During their Humphrey year, fellows are expected to be resourceful, display initiative, and network with U.S. organizations and professionals.

All selected fellows participate in a one-week workshop in Washington, D.C. in the Fall of 2026.

HUMPHREY/ NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) FELLOWSHIPS

These fellowships are designed to provide training in prevention research, epidemiology, treatment and substance abuse policy research. Candidates in this field may be focused on problems of alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse as well as broader areas of public health that relate to substance abuse, such as HIV/AIDS, mental health, medicine, psychology, social work and counseling. Previous Humphrey recipients in the substance abuse field have come from universities, community-based treatment and prevention program, hospitals, criminal justice settings and local or national policy agencies.

Applications are invited in selected fields.

The program is designed for young and mid-career professionals with leadership potential who are committed to public service. Applicants should have relevant professional experience and the potential for professional advancement. Women and candidates from minority and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates should demonstrate the required experience, skills, and commitment while also indicating how they can benefit from this program in ways that they have not experienced previously and are not likely to experience without the Humphrey program. Candidates should be proficient in both written and spoken English and will be required to take Internet-based Test (iBT) of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Long-Term English (LTE) Program

To support candidates with limited English proficiency, the program offers a Long-Term English (LTE) language training opportunity. This intensive, four-month pre-academic program helps improve the language skills of individuals from rural areas, underrepresented groups, and non-elite backgrounds, ensuring they are prepared for academic success during their fellowship.

In addition to the General Prerequisites the applicant:

• Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor's degree or a completed master's degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma, if the bachelor's degree is of less than four years' duration.
• Must have at least five years of substantial professional experience (prior to August 2026) in the respective field, and be eligible for leave;
• Should have demonstrated leadership qualities;
• Should have a record of public service in the community; and
• must give an undertaking to return to India on completion of the fellowship.

Candidates meeting any of the following descriptions will be rendered technically ineligible to participate in the Humphrey Program:

• Individuals with less than five years of full-time professional experience prior to August 2026.
• 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 attended a graduate school in the United States for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2026.
• Individuals who have had more than six months of U.S. experience during the five years prior to August 2026.
• Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status.
• Have participated in recent State Department exchange programs.

The fellowship provides tuition and fees, a monthly maintenance allowance, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, a modest allowance for books and supplies, round-trip international air travel to the host institution, domestic travel to the Washington, D.C. workshop, and allowances for professional activities such as field trips, professional visits, and conferences. These fellowships do not provide an allowance for dependents, and the stipend provided under the grant is not sufficient to support family members. The program will involve a number of activities where it will be difficult to include dependents.

Applications must be submitted online.

Note:

• In case of central or state government employees, the signed copy of employer’s endorsement form should be forwarded through the cadre controlling authority. In case of employed candidates, the employer's comments in the employer’s endorsement form must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship. Please upload a scanned copy of the employer’s endorsement on your online application.
• Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
• Applicants are advised to invite two referees through their online application portal and request them to submit their recommendations online as per the guidelines given in the applicant instructions. Referee(s) should complete confidential report of reference by the application deadline.

Visit https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/ for more details on Humphrey Fellowship Program.