Hubert Humphrey Fellowships in USA for International Students

Overview

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a fully funded, non-degree fellowship for accomplished mid-career professionals from around the world. Named after the late US Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, the programme was established in 1978 and is administered as part of the Fulbright exchange — managed in Nepal through USEF-Nepal (the Fulbright Commission in Kathmandu).

Nepal has been a participating country since the programme's early years. The Humphrey Fellowship brings selected Nepali professionals to the United States for 10 months of academic study, professional development, and networking alongside American counterparts and fellows from over 160 countries. It is not a degree programme — fellows audit courses, attend professional events, and complete a professional affiliation at a relevant US organisation.

Unlike Fulbright and Global UGRAD which target students, the Humphrey Fellowship is specifically for working professionals with at least five years of experience in public service, policy, management, journalism, law, health, education, or other eligible fields. It is one of the most prestigious mid-career exchange opportunities available to Nepali professionals.

Over 6,600 fellows from 163 countries have participated since 1978. The programme has a strong alumni network in Nepal — Humphrey Fellows include senior government officials, civil society leaders, journalists, and public health professionals.

Eligibility

• Nepali citizen currently residing and employed in Nepal
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible full-time professional experience in Nepal in a relevant field, as of the application deadline — volunteer work, internships, and work done as a degree requirement do not count
• Holds a 4-year Bachelor's degree — if your Bachelor's was 2 or 3 years, a Master's degree is also required
• Currently working as a policymaker, manager, administrator, or in a leadership position with a commitment to public service — from public sector, private sector, or NGOs
• Demonstrates potential for national leadership
• Proficient in spoken, written, and reading English
• Eligible for leave from current employer for the duration of the fellowship

Eligible Fields (17 areas)

• Agricultural and Rural Development
• Communications and Journalism
• Economic Development
• Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
• Finance and Banking
• Higher Education Administration
• HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
• Human Resource Management
• Law and Human Rights
• Natural Resources, Environmental Policy and Climate Change
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
• Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention
• Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
• Technology Policy and Management
• Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention
• Urban and Regional Planning

Who is Not Eligible

• Candidates with fewer than five years of full-time professional experience
• Candidates with two or more 2-year/3-year Bachelor's degrees in different fields but no Master's degree
• Individuals who have spent more than 3 years in the US and have not returned to Nepal and worked at a level of professional responsibility for at least 4 years since returning
• Individuals who attended graduate school in the US for one academic year or more during the 7 years prior to the fellowship start
• Individuals with more than 6 months of US experience during the 5 years prior to the fellowship
• Individuals who participated in a US government-sponsored exchange programme within the last 3 years
• Individuals with or in the process of obtaining dual US citizenship or US permanent residency
• Local employees of the US Mission in Nepal (Department of State or USAID) and their spouses and dependants

How to Apply

In Nepal, the Humphrey Fellowship is administered entirely through USEF-Nepal. The process runs from June to August each year.

1. Check the USEF-Nepal website — visit usefnepal.org/fulbright/humphrey when applications open (typically June). Confirm the exact deadline for the current cycle.
2. Confirm your field of study — you must apply under one of the 17 eligible programme fields. Your professional experience must be in the relevant field after completing your degree.
3. Prepare and attest documents — all academic documents must be attested. Attestation may be made at USEF-Nepal, by the issuing institution, Government of Nepal, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, or a government-approved notary public.
4. Submit the online application — complete the Humphrey Fellowship application through USEF-Nepal's portal by the deadline. The 2026-27 cycle deadline was 31 July 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
5. Shortlisting and interview — shortlisted candidates are invited for panel interviews. English language proficiency is assessed at this stage — TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS scores may be required.
6. Nomination and final selection — USEF-Nepal nominates selected candidates to the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington DC for final selection and placement at a US university.
7. Fellowship year — selected fellows travel to the US for a 10–12 month fellowship, combining university coursework with professional affiliation at a relevant US organisation.

Contact USEF-Nepal: 01-5907008 or visit usefnepal.org/fulbright/humphrey for the 2027-28 cycle announcement.