Serbia: Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Deadline: 30-Jun-22

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications from citizens of Serbia for participation in the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Humphrey Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. Over 6,000 Fellows representing 162 countries have participated in the program since its inception in 1978. That has included 20 Serbians in the past decade.

Professional Fields

The Humphrey Fellowship is granted competitively to public and private sector candidates from Serbia with strong leadership potential and a commitment to service who are focused on the following fields:
- Economic Development.
- Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration.
- Technology Policy and Management.
- Law and Human Rights.
- Trafficking in Persons Policy & Prevention.
- Agricultural and Rural Development.
- Natural Resources, Environmental Policy, and Climate Change.
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Public Health Policy and Management
- Higher Education Administration

The Humphrey Program Experience

The yearlong Fellowship offers valuable opportunities for non-degree graduate level university study, leadership development, networking, and substantive professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts through practical work experience.
The freedom from the requirements necessary to obtain a degree gives each Fellow greater flexibility to pursue a self-directed, individualized program. Though Humphrey Fellows are hosted at American universities, they would like to stress that this is a professional, non-academic exchange program. Certain universities will host Fellows in the same field of interest, so candidates are unable to request placement at particular academic institutions. Humphrey Fellows may not transfer from non-degree to degree status at their host university under any circumstances.
Beyond the graduate level courses, professional enrichment activities include participation in conferences, training programs, site visits, and a “professional affiliation,” i.e., practical job experience on a full-time basis in an American work environment for a minimum of six weeks. Early in the academic year, with assistance from the Humphrey coordinator and faculty advisors at the university, each Fellow will develop a detailed plan of practical professional activities geared toward his/her Humphrey Program objectives.
During the year, Fellows both pursue their individual program goals and work closely with their Humphrey colleagues in workshops and seminars. The Program also encourages Fellows to travel away from their host campus to learn more about American culture and to network with their American peers.

Eligibility Criteria

Appropriate candidates are young, mid-career professionals in leadership positions in either the public and private sector who have demonstrated a commitment to public service and the potential for further advancement.
- They strongly encourage both men and women to apply, as well as persons with disabilities and individuals from other underserved groups.
- The technical eligibility requirements are:
  - Serbian citizenship and eligibility to obtain a U.S. visa.
  - An undergraduate university degree.
  - A minimum of five years of full-time, professional experience in the relevant field by June 2023.
  - Limited or no prior experience in the United States.
  - Demonstrated leadership qualities.
  - A record of public service in the community.
  - Proficiency in written and spoken English. Candidates will normally have a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 525 (paper-based) or 71 (internet-based). If you have taken a TOEFL exams in the past, scores are valid for two years. The TOEFL exam is not a requirement at the time of application. Candidates who pass the interview will receive the instructions how to register for the TOEFL exam.