Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship 2028–29: A Year in the U.S. for Mid-Career Leaders
A U.S. State Department–funded Fulbright exchange that brings professionals with five or more years of experience to a U.S. university for about ten months of non-degree study and a six-week work placement. The 2027–28 call has closed in most countries; the 2028–29 call is expected from spring 2027.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). It places experienced professionals at a U.S. university for one academic year of non-degree study, leadership training and a professional placement with a U.S. organisation. You do not earn a degree. You do get a funded year to work on a problem from your own job, alongside 13 or so peers from other countries.
The programme was founded in 1978 to honour the late Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. The first 27 Fellows from 24 countries arrived in 1979, according to the official Program Overview.
What changed for the 2027–28 cycle
If you read an older guide, three things are now different. The official site and embassy calls for 2027–28 describe a programme reframed around U.S. foreign policy goals. The fields of study were consolidated into six: Communications and Journalism, Law and Governance, Natural Resources Policy, Public and Economic Policy, Public Health Policy and Management, and Technology Policy and Management (Fields of Study). And the network is smaller: the host universities page now lists seven campuses. The State Department’s funding notice says about eight, and some embassy calls still say about 13.
The State Department’s FY 2027 funding notice lists $10,250,000 for the programme “pending availability of funds” and plans for about 106 academic-year Fellows. Cambodia’s call also says awards are made “subject to the availability of funding”. Nothing official says the 2028–29 cycle is cancelled. But treat each year’s call as conditional until your embassy posts it.
Who it is for
Eligibility →The core rules on the official Eligibility page are short: citizenship of an eligible country, a first university degree, at least five years of full-time professional experience, leadership and public service, limited experience in the United States, and good English. Embassy calls add the details that knock most people out: you need management or policy responsibilities, U.S. citizens and green-card holders cannot apply, and long stays or graduate study in the U.S. in recent years count against you.
How selection works
You do not apply to IIE or to a university. You submit an online application at apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey, but it goes to the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission for your country. That office shortlists and interviews, then nominates candidates to IIE by mid-September. Independent U.S. panels review the nominations, and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board gives final approval. Results arrive around March–April, and the Fellowship starts in August or September.
- 1Spring–summerYour embassy or commission posts the call
Deadlines differ by country. For 2027–28 they ran from 20 May (Pakistan) to 28 August 2026 (Guinea).
- 2SummerShortlist and national interview
Only shortlisted applicants are contacted. Finalists take an English test, usually on a voucher.
- 3Mid-SeptemberNomination to IIE in Washington
Your country’s nominees go to U.S. review panels.
- 4March–AprilFinal selection and placement
The Fulbright Board approves Fellows. IIE assigns your host university — you cannot choose it.
- 5August–SeptemberFellowship year begins
About ten months on campus, including a six-week professional affiliation.
What it pays for
Benefits →The official FAQ lists tuition and fees, a monthly maintenance allowance with a one-time settling-in payment, accident and sickness cover, a book allowance, a one-time computer subsidy, international air travel and travel to required events, and a professional development allowance. It does not pay anything for your family. Exact stipend amounts are not published.
Where to go next
Eight quick questions on experience, U.S. history and English.
The official list by region, and who runs the call where you live.
Leadership, goals, public service and a challenge statement, with character limits.
Degree or no degree, five years’ experience or not.
Start on the official sites
This is an independent handbook. The source of truth is humphreyfellowship.org, the State Department’s programme page, and above all the call posted by your own U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission, which sets your deadline and any extra local rules.