The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
A program for young and mid-career professionals sponsored by the U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa welcomes mid-career Congolese professionals to apply to the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This fellowship program brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for one year of non-degree study and related professional experience. Humphrey fellows are selected based on their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service.
The scholarship is awarded for nine months of studies and the program is individually designed, combining academic studies and practical training related to the profession and field of each program participant. Participants are assisted by the Institute for International Education (IIE) to develop their training programs. The program includes courses, independent projects undertaken with the assistance of advisers, seminars, field trips, participation in professional meetings, consultations and internships in federal agencies or private companies.
The program aims to establish lasting relationships between American and foreign executives, and thus foster exchanges that can promote better knowledge and mutual understanding between the United States and foreign countries.
The program combines graduate level course work at prestigious American universities with professional internships at leading American institutions, with the objective of developing leadership skills to contribute to DRC’s national development. The fellowship covers travel costs, tuition, medical insurance, monthly maintenance and educational materials. The program does not provide financial support for accompanying dependents.
Applicants can find more general information by clicking on the link https://www.humphreyfellowship.org. The full list of eligible fields of study is available at https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/program-fields and answers to other frequently asked questions, at https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/frequently-asked-questions
Selection Criteria
- English fluency is a requirement for Humphrey Fellowship Program eligibility and all candidates must take the TOEFL.
- Candidates must have a four-year university (bachelor’s) degree;
- Candidates must have a minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience;
- Candidates must have limited or no prior experience in the United States;
- Candidates must have demonstrated leadership qualities, and a record of public service.
- Candidates must be available for travel between April and August 2023.
Application instructions
Qualified candidates can access the 2023-2024 Humphrey Fellowship Program application form at https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey. They will then have to click on “Create an account” if they are submitting a new application, or on “Log in” if they want to continue filling out a previously saved application form.
Applications must be completed and submitted online no later than September 15, 2022. Incomplete applications or applications for anything other than the 2023-2024 cycle will not be considered.
Candidates should begin the application process early to ensure all necessary documentation is received before the September 13 deadline. This includes:
- all university transcripts,
- certified copies of degrees,
- two letters of recommendation, and
- TOEFL scores or proof of TOEFL registration if they plan to take the test after the application deadline.
At least one letter of recommendation should be from a current employer and one from a former professor or academic. Official translations are required for non-English degrees and transcripts. Before completing the application, candidates should research and have a clear idea of programs offered by American universities in his or her desired field of study.
It is strongly recommended that candidates take the TOEFL by November 1, 2022 to ensure results will be available to universities in time for admission decisions. Candidates may register for the TOEFL at www.ets.org.
Applicants must list IIE as a recipient of test scores. For TOEFL (and GRE if required), the IIE code is 2326.
Any questions you have concerning the Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program should be directed to the U.S. Embassy by email at KinshasaExchange@state.gov.
Applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted applicants will be notified, and invited for interview.
***Important note: Employees and their immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of the U.S. Department of State and of public or private organizations under contract to the U.S. Department of State are ineligible to apply for Fulbright-Hayes grants until one year after termination of such employment. ***
