Deadline: 22-Jul-2025
The U.S. Embassy is excited to announce the competition for the 2026-27 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This fellowship is a one-year, non-degree graduate-level study and professional development opportunity for accomplished mid-career professionals. Candidates should have a proven leadership track record, a commitment to public service, and the ability to pursue an independent study program. Throughout the year, fellows engage in university coursework, conferences, networking, and practical work experiences. Unlike traditional graduate programs, the Humphrey Fellowship encourages travel beyond the host campus to deepen cultural understanding and professional connections.
Humphrey Fellows study across various fields. In Human and Institutional Capacity, they address economic challenges, public policy, finance, and technology management. Fellows work in leadership roles, managing financial institutions, developing policies, and overseeing technological change at different levels of government and industry.
In Sustainable Lands, fellows focus on agricultural and rural development, environmental policy, and urban planning. They share best practices to improve food systems, manage natural resources, and advance urban and regional development.
The Thriving Communities focus includes public health policy and management, substance abuse education, and educational administration. Fellows serve as health policymakers, educators, and specialists in substance abuse prevention, contributing to policy development and community health.
In Rights and Freedoms, fellows work in communications, journalism, law, and human rights. They support press freedom, rule of law, and protection of individual rights through roles such as investigative journalists, attorneys, and NGO leaders.
The fellowship covers tuition and fees at the host university, pre-academic English training if needed, a living allowance, accident and sickness coverage, book allowance, a computer subsidy, and international and domestic travel costs. Professional development activities are also supported.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and have at least five years of full-time professional experience beyond their degree. University teachers must have management or policy responsibilities, except English language teachers and substance abuse specialists. Applicants with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are ineligible. Candidates must hold or be eligible for a passport from their nominating country. They should not have studied in the U.S. for a full academic year within the past seven years, have limited recent U.S. experience, and have not participated in certain U.S. exchange programs recently. Employment by or relation to U.S. government employees in Botswana also disqualifies applicants.
Successful candidates must demonstrate leadership ability, commitment to public service, clear and relevant program objectives, appropriate professional qualifications, capacity to benefit from the program, a genuine need for the fellowship, and English proficiency. Those needing English language support will receive training before starting their studies.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Botswana.
