Deadline: 19-Jul-2026
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program invites applications from mid-career professionals in Ethiopia who demonstrate leadership potential, public service commitment and policy-related experience. The fully funded fellowship supports a non-degree academic year in the United States focused on graduate-level study, leadership development and professional collaboration.
Applicants must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree, have a minimum of five years of relevant full-time professional experience after graduation, and be between 32 and 45 years old. Selected fellows participate in academic, professional and leadership activities in the United States and must commit to returning home for at least two years after completing the fellowship.
Programme Overview
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a fully funded fellowship supported by the United States government.
The programme enables mid-career professionals to spend one academic year in the United States for non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development and professional engagement.
It is designed for professionals who have demonstrated leadership ability and a strong commitment to public service.
Main Objective
The main objective of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is to strengthen leadership, professional capacity and policy expertise among mid-career professionals.
The programme aims to:
- Support leadership development
- Strengthen public service capacity
- Provide graduate-level academic exposure
- Encourage professional collaboration
- Build long-term relationships with U.S. counterparts
- Improve policy and management expertise
- Support knowledge transfer after fellows return home
Fellowship Type
The Humphrey Fellowship is a non-degree academic programme.
This means fellows do not receive a U.S. degree at the end of the programme.
Instead, they participate in a structured academic and professional experience that may include:
- Graduate-level coursework
- Leadership training
- Professional development activities
- Networking opportunities
- Practical exposure
- Collaboration with U.S. institutions and professionals
Funding Support
The fellowship is fully funded by the United States government.
The funding is designed to support the academic year of study, leadership development components and professional engagement activities during the placement period in the United States.
Key Fields of Specialization
The programme supports professionals working in selected policy and development fields.
Key areas of specialization include:
- Communications and Journalism
- Law and Governance
- Natural Resources Policy
- Public and Economic Policy
- Public Health Policy and Management
- Technology Policy and Management
Applicants should apply under the field that best matches their professional background, leadership experience and future career goals.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be mid-career professionals with strong leadership potential.
Applicants should be working in either the public or private sector and should have clear management or policy-related responsibilities.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be citizens of Ethiopia or permanent residents eligible for a valid national passport
- Hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree
- Have at least five years of relevant full-time professional experience after graduation
- Be between 32 and 45 years old
- Currently hold management or policy-related responsibilities
- Demonstrate leadership ability
- Show commitment to public service
- Demonstrate English language proficiency
- Be willing to take an English language proficiency test if selected
- Provide a letter of organisational support for one year of study leave
- Commit to returning home for at least two years after the fellowship
Professional Experience Requirement
Applicants must have a minimum of five years of relevant full-time professional experience after graduation.
This requirement ensures that applicants have enough practical experience to benefit from the fellowship and contribute meaningfully to professional exchange.
The programme is intended for mid-career professionals, not recent graduates or entry-level applicants.
Age Requirement
Applicants should be between 32 and 45 years old.
This age range reflects the programme’s focus on mid-career professionals who already hold leadership or policy-related responsibilities.
Education Requirement
Applicants must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree.
The degree should support the applicant’s professional field and proposed fellowship area.
Leadership and Public Service Requirement
The programme is highly competitive and places strong emphasis on leadership potential.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Professional achievements
- Leadership experience
- Public service commitment
- Policy or management responsibility
- Ability to contribute to their field after returning home
- Clear professional goals linked to the fellowship
English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.
Candidates should also be prepared to undertake an English language proficiency test if selected.
Strong English skills are important because the fellowship involves academic study, professional collaboration and leadership activities in the United States.
Organisational Support Requirement
Applicants must provide a letter of organisational support.
This letter should confirm approval for a full year of study leave.
The support letter demonstrates that the applicant’s employer or organisation recognises the value of the fellowship and allows the candidate to participate for the full programme period.
Return Requirement
Selected fellows must commit to returning home for at least two years after completing the fellowship.
This requirement ensures that fellows apply the skills, knowledge and professional networks gained during the programme to benefit their home country.
Who is Not Eligible?
Additional eligibility restrictions apply.
Applicants may be ineligible if they have:
- Previously completed extended graduate study in the United States
- Recently participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programmes
- Insufficient professional experience
- No current management or policy-related responsibilities
- No organisational approval for one year of study leave
- Inability to meet English language requirements
- No commitment to return home after the fellowship
Applicants should carefully review all restrictions before applying.
What the Fellowship Provides
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship provides a structured academic and professional experience in the United States.
Selected fellows may benefit from:
- Graduate-level academic study
- Leadership development
- Professional collaboration
- Exposure to U.S. institutions
- Networking with professionals and policymakers
- Practical learning opportunities
- Long-term international professional relationships
- Skills development in policy, management and leadership
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Humphrey Fellowship helps mid-career professionals strengthen their leadership and policy expertise.
It supports professionals who are already working on important public, institutional or sectoral challenges.
By combining academic learning with professional engagement, the programme helps fellows return home with stronger skills, wider networks and practical knowledge that can support public service and national development.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear, evidence-based and well-supported application that demonstrates leadership, professional achievement and public service commitment.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they meet all basic eligibility requirements.
This includes nationality or residency status, age, education, professional experience, English proficiency and current management or policy-related responsibilities.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Field of Specialization
Applicants should select the field that best matches their professional background and future goals.
The field should align with the applicant’s work experience and leadership plans.
Step 3: Show Leadership Experience
The application should clearly describe leadership roles, responsibilities and achievements.
Applicants should explain how they have influenced policy, managed teams, improved programmes, led initiatives or contributed to public service.
Step 4: Demonstrate Public Service Commitment
Applicants should explain how their work benefits society, institutions, communities or national development.
A strong application should connect the fellowship to future public service goals.
Step 5: Explain Professional Goals
Applicants should describe what they hope to learn during the fellowship and how they will use the experience after returning home.
The goals should be realistic, field-specific and linked to Ethiopia’s development or institutional needs.
Step 6: Prepare English Language Evidence
Applicants should be ready to demonstrate English proficiency.
If selected, they may need to take an English language proficiency test.
Step 7: Secure Organisational Support
Applicants should obtain a letter from their organisation confirming approval for a full year of study leave.
This document is important for showing that the applicant can participate fully in the fellowship.
Step 8: Address Return Commitment
Applicants should clearly show their commitment to returning home for at least two years after the fellowship.
They should explain how they will apply the skills and knowledge gained in their professional field.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying without meeting the five-year professional experience requirement
- Submitting an application without clear leadership examples
- Choosing a field that does not match professional experience
- Failing to demonstrate public service commitment
- Providing vague career goals
- Not securing organisational support for study leave
- Ignoring English language requirements
- Applying despite recent U.S. government-sponsored exchange participation
- Failing to explain how the fellowship will benefit the home country
- Submitting a generic application without field-specific focus
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly show mid-career leadership experience
- Provide specific examples of professional achievements
- Demonstrate commitment to public service
- Align the chosen field with career goals
- Explain how U.S. academic and professional exposure will help
- Show how the applicant will apply learning after returning home
- Include strong organisational support
- Use clear and direct language
- Highlight management or policy-related responsibilities
- Demonstrate readiness for an intensive academic and professional year
FAQ
1. What is the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program?
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a fully funded U.S. government fellowship for mid-career professionals. It provides a non-degree academic year in the United States focused on graduate-level study, leadership development and professional collaboration.
2. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are mid-career professionals from Ethiopia who are citizens or permanent residents eligible for a valid national passport. They must have leadership potential, public service commitment and relevant professional experience.
3. Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The fellowship is fully funded by the United States government.
4. What fields are covered?
The programme covers Communications and Journalism, Law and Governance, Natural Resources Policy, Public and Economic Policy, Public Health Policy and Management, and Technology Policy and Management.
5. What is the professional experience requirement?
Applicants must have at least five years of relevant full-time professional experience after graduation.
6. What is the age requirement?
Applicants should be between 32 and 45 years old.
7. Do fellows receive a degree?
No. The Humphrey Fellowship is a non-degree programme. Fellows participate in academic, professional and leadership activities but do not receive a U.S. degree.
Conclusion
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program offers a fully funded opportunity for mid-career professionals in Ethiopia to strengthen leadership, policy and professional expertise in the United States.
The programme is designed for candidates with strong professional achievements, public service commitment and clear leadership potential.
Applicants should prepare focused applications that demonstrate eligibility, leadership experience, English readiness, organisational support and a strong plan to apply the fellowship experience after returning home.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia.
