Open Call for Humphrey Fellowship Program (Israel)

Deadline: 15-Aug-2026

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State are inviting applications for the fully funded Humphrey Fellowship Program for mid-career professionals from Palestine. The fellowship supports leadership development, academic study, professional training, and international cooperation in selected policy and public service fields. Eligible applicants must be residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza Strip, hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and have at least five years of full-time professional experience.

Overview

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a fully funded professional development opportunity for mid-career specialists from Palestine.

The programme is designed to strengthen leadership, public service, professional expertise, and international cooperation.

Selected fellows will undertake academic study and professional development activities in the United States while building networks with U.S. institutions, experts, and organizations.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The purpose of the Humphrey Fellowship Program is to help mid-career professionals develop leadership skills and practical knowledge in fields that support public service and national development.

The programme combines academic learning with hands-on professional exposure.

It is intended for professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential, a strong record of public service, and the ability to contribute to their communities after completing the fellowship.

Key Focus Areas

The fellowship focuses on Communications and Journalism, Law and Governance, Natural Resources Policy, Public and Economic Policy, Public Health Policy and Management, and Technology Policy and Management.

These fields are connected to public leadership, policy development, institutional capacity, social development, media, governance, health systems, environmental management, and technology-driven public service.

What the Fellowship Includes

The Humphrey Fellowship combines academic study with structured professional development.

Fellows participate in activities such as:

• Academic coursework
• Leadership development activities
• Workshops
• Conferences
• Professional training sessions
• Professional visits
• Networking events
• Enrichment experiences
• Applied learning activities

The programme helps fellows strengthen both technical expertise and professional leadership capacity.

Professional Affiliation Placement

A key part of the fellowship is the professional affiliation placement.

This placement lasts at least six weeks and takes place in a relevant U.S. organization.

The placement gives fellows direct exposure to professional practice in their field. It allows them to observe systems, apply knowledge, build networks, and learn from U.S.-based institutions or organizations working in related areas.

Funding and Benefits

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is fully funded.

The fellowship covers:

• Tuition
• Living expenses
• Travel costs
• Health insurance
• Programme-related academic and professional development support

This financial support allows fellows to participate fully in the programme without bearing the major costs of study, travel, and living in the United States.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a mid-career professional
• Be a resident of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza Strip
• Hold or be eligible for a valid passport from the nominating country
• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree
• Have at least five years of full-time professional experience after completing undergraduate studies
• Demonstrate leadership experience
• Show a strong record of public service
• Work in a field related to the fellowship’s focus areas

Applicants should be able to explain how the fellowship will strengthen their professional impact and benefit their community or field.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Individuals are not eligible if they:

• Hold dual U.S. citizenship
• Hold U.S. permanent residency
• Have recently participated in long-term U.S. academic study
• Have recently participated in U.S. government exchange programmes within the specified exclusion period
• Do not meet the professional experience requirement
• Do not meet the residency or passport eligibility requirements

Applicants should carefully review all exclusion rules before applying.

Why It Matters

The Humphrey Fellowship Program matters because it invests in professionals who can contribute to public service, institutional development, and community progress.

For professionals from Palestine, the programme provides access to U.S. academic resources, professional networks, and practical learning opportunities.

By combining study, leadership training, and professional affiliation, the fellowship helps participants build skills that can be applied in policy, governance, journalism, public health, natural resources, technology, and economic development.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a complete application that clearly demonstrates eligibility, leadership potential, professional experience, and relevance to one of the fellowship fields.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should first confirm that they meet the basic eligibility requirements.

They should verify:

• Residency in Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza Strip
• Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification
• At least five years of full-time professional experience
• Passport eligibility
• No disqualifying U.S. citizenship, residency, or recent exchange programme status

Step 2: Choose the Relevant Fellowship Field

Applicants should select the field that best matches their professional background and future goals.

Eligible focus areas include:

• Communications and Journalism
• Law and Governance
• Natural Resources Policy
• Public and Economic Policy
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Technology Policy and Management

The selected field should clearly connect to the applicant’s experience, leadership role, and future professional plans.

Step 3: Prepare a Strong Professional Profile

Applicants should present their professional background clearly.

The application should highlight:

• Current role
• Work experience
• Leadership responsibilities
• Public service contributions
• Professional achievements
• Community impact
• Relevance of work to the selected fellowship field

Step 4: Explain Leadership and Public Service Impact

The fellowship prioritizes professionals with leadership experience and a strong public service record.

Applicants should explain how they have contributed to their institution, sector, or community.

They should also show how the fellowship will help them increase their future impact.

Step 5: Describe Professional Goals

Applicants should clearly explain what they hope to gain from the fellowship.

This may include:

• Strengthening policy expertise
• Building technical skills
• Learning from U.S. institutions
• Developing leadership capacity
• Expanding professional networks
• Applying new knowledge after returning home

The goals should be realistic, specific, and connected to the applicant’s field.

Step 6: Prepare Required Documents

Applicants should prepare all required documents according to the official application instructions.

Documents may include academic records, professional information, recommendation materials, personal statements, and proof of eligibility.

All information should be accurate, consistent, and complete.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Applicants should submit the completed application through the official process before the deadline.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not clearly meet eligibility requirements may not be considered.

Selection Considerations

Applicants are likely to be assessed based on professional strength, leadership potential, public service record, and relevance to the programme.

Important selection factors include:

• Professional experience
• Leadership record
• Public service contribution
• Relevance to the selected field
• Potential for future impact
• Clarity of goals
• Ability to benefit from academic and professional development in the United States
• Commitment to applying fellowship learning after the programme

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should show a clear connection between past experience, fellowship goals, and future impact.

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain their leadership experience
• Highlight public service achievements
• Choose the most relevant fellowship field
• Show how the programme fits their career path
• Provide specific examples of community or institutional impact
• Explain how they will use the fellowship after returning
• Avoid vague statements about professional goals
• Ensure all eligibility details are accurate
• Submit complete and well-organized materials

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting applications that are unclear, incomplete, or not aligned with the fellowship’s purpose.

Common mistakes include:

• Not demonstrating at least five years of professional experience
• Providing weak examples of leadership
• Failing to show a public service record
• Selecting a field that does not match professional experience
• Giving unclear future goals
• Not explaining how the fellowship will benefit the applicant’s community or sector
• Ignoring exclusion rules related to U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or recent U.S. programmes
• Submitting incomplete documents
• Using general statements instead of specific examples

FAQ

1. What is the Humphrey Fellowship Program?

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a fully funded professional development fellowship that combines academic study, leadership development, and practical professional experience in the United States.

2. Who can apply from Palestine?

Mid-career professionals who are residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza Strip may apply if they meet the education, experience, leadership, and passport eligibility requirements.

3. What fields does the fellowship support?

The programme supports Communications and Journalism, Law and Governance, Natural Resources Policy, Public and Economic Policy, Public Health Policy and Management, and Technology Policy and Management.

4. Is the fellowship fully funded?

Yes. The fellowship covers tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance for the duration of the programme.

5. How much professional experience is required?

Applicants must have at least five years of full-time professional experience after completing undergraduate studies.

6. What is the professional affiliation placement?

The professional affiliation placement is a required practical learning experience in a relevant U.S. organization. It lasts at least six weeks and helps fellows gain direct exposure to professional practice.

7. Who is not eligible?

Individuals are not eligible if they hold dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency, have recently participated in long-term U.S. academic study, or have recently joined U.S. government exchange programmes within the specified exclusion period.

Conclusion

The fully funded Humphrey Fellowship Program offers mid-career professionals from Palestine an opportunity to strengthen leadership, policy knowledge, and professional expertise through academic study and practical experience in the United States. With support for tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and professional affiliation, the programme is well suited for public service-oriented professionals seeking to increase their long-term impact. Applicants should present a clear record of leadership, strong professional experience, and a focused plan for applying the fellowship experience in their field.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.