Application for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for 2018/19 Academic Year is Open!

The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has announced the annual call for applications for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program for the 2018/2019 academic year.

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program is sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This program provides mid-career professionals from designated countries, including Nigeria, with an opportunity to participate in a specialized, 10-month, non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts at selected U.S. universities.

The objective is to provide Humphrey fellows with an overall experience that broadens their perspectives, enhances their capability to assume greater career responsibilities, and provides opportunities to establish useful professional contacts.

Deadline: Please note that the STRICT deadline for submitting online application and all supplementary documents is June 1, 2017 at 12 Noon.

Grant Benefit:

The Fellowship provides for:

• Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university;
• Pre-academic English language training, if required;
• A maintenance (living) allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance;
• Accident and sickness coverage;
• A book allowance;
• A one-time computer subsidy;
• Air travel (international travel to and from the U.S. for the Program and domestic travel to required program events);
• A Professional Development allowance for professional activities, such as field trips, professional visits and conferences.

Eligibility: The Humphrey program is only for mid-career professionals, those with at least eight years’ full time, professional experience.

Please visit the Humphrey website www.humphreyfellowship.org to learn more about the program and click on https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/program-fields to determine which of the 15 program fields best matches your professional & public service experience.

The online application for the 2018/2019 academic opened on April 1, 2016 and the link is https://iie.embark.com/apply/humphreyfellowship

Complete Application: 

A complete application includes:

1. An online application which includes:
   • a clearly written objectives, program plan and motivations for applying
   • detailed essays
2. Three letters of reference submitted electronically and attached to the online application by referees who know the applicants very well
3. TOEFL score report
4. Biodata page of valid international passport

Note: Hard copies of official academic transcripts and other supplementary documents should be forwarded to our office by regular mail. Please address the envelope to:

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program Officer, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Consulate General, 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Additional Information:

Only candidates who possess the following qualifications will be considered.

• Leadership Ability

Successful candidates should have achieved positions of significant responsibility at the national, regional or local level and show clear promise to assume greater future leadership roles.

• Commitment to Public Service

Candidates’ careers must reflect a present and future commitment to public service, broadly defined, in the public, NGO, or private sector of their home country.

• Candidate’s Objectives and Program Plan

The candidate’s stated objectives (questions 19 and 21 on the application) should be consistent with the overarching goals of the Humphrey Program. This program is not designed for applicants wishing to complete a degree or pursue research within traditional academic disciplines. We will look for evidence of the candidate’s seriousness of purpose and commitment to broaden, deepen and enhance his or her ability to contribute professionally to the development of his or her country. A candidate whose statements focus primarily on how the program will benefit his or her individual career is less likely to be selected by the interview panels.

The candidate’s program plan, career goals and personal statements must be clear, explicit and well thought through. Ideal candidates should be interested in and willing to devote time to professional activities, including a professional affiliation (a work attachment lasting a minimum of six weeks) with a relevant U.S.-based organization.

• Professional Qualifications

The nature and quality of the candidate’s professional experience should be commensurate with the type of training and study experience he or she seeks. Candidates should be policymakers, managers, or administrators, not researchers or technicians (with the exception of substance abuse candidates). They must have at least 8 years post-NYSC experience.

• Desire to return to Nigeria

Candidates should be currently employed and have the backing of their employers; they should discuss their training plans with their supervisors in order to make sure they will be able to obtain a leave of absence for a period of 10-14 months. Once you receive notification of selection, candidates may wish to develop, in conjunction with their employer, projects consistent with the candidate’s program plan and goals in order to secure support from the Fellows’ employers for leaves of absence with pay.

The Humphrey Program was originally designed with an assumption that the Fellows’ salaries would be maintained while they are in the U.S. Continuation of salary support is particularly important for Fellows who must support dependents whether at home or in the U.S. In addition, continued salary support or approval of unpaid leave is often an indicator of future success in applying the benefits of a Humphrey Fellowship to the home country. Nigeria cannot nominate candidates who must resign from a position in order to accept the award.

• Capacity to Benefit from the Program

Candidates must have a minimum of eight years of substantive professional experience beyond the university degree and a record of superior performance. Candidates should have taken advantage of training and professional development available in their home countries and should be at a point where they will derive maximum benefit from a year of non-degree study and professional enrichment in the U.S.

• Need for the Program

Candidates should indicate how they can benefit from the program in ways that they have not already experienced.

• Academic Qualifications

Candidates should have at least a first university degree (equivalent of a bachelor’s or HND). There should be evidence that the candidate’s academic background is sufficiently strong to undertake graduate level study at a major U.S. university.

• Language Proficiency

Candidates are expected to be proficient in English as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 100 is needed.

• Gender

The Humphrey Program aims to achieve a balance between the number of qualified female and male participants. Recruitment of qualified women will be a priority, especially in countries with an acute need to promote new roles for women professionals.

• Age

There is no age limit for the program. However, candidates who are below 30 years old need to clearly demonstrate the maturity and discipline needed to carry out a flexible, self-directed program. For candidates over 50, their potential to contribute in a substantial way to their profession upon return to their home country will be assessed. Persons whose careers have been interrupted for family or political reasons may also deserve special consideration.

Enquiries: Applicants with specific questions not addressed by the online application instructions may email them to [email protected] Applicants should please indicate“Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program” in the subject line of email messages.