Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Humphrey Fellowship is a non-degree exchange programme of the US Department of State, administered in Sri Lanka by the US-SL Fulbright Commission. It brings mid-career professionals to a US host university for 10 months of graduate-level coursework, professional affiliations, and leadership development — without leading to a degree. Designed for public-service oriented practitioners, not students fresh out of a Bachelor's.
US Department of State
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded
Duration
10-Month Non-Degree
Cohort
~150 Fellows / Year Worldwide
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's Degree (4-Year)
Hold a four-year Bachelor's degree, with preference for candidates who also hold a postgraduate qualification.
5+ Years Professional Experience
Minimum five years of substantial, full-time professional experience in a Humphrey-eligible field (e.g. public health policy, education planning, finance & banking, journalism, law and human rights, technology policy).
Sri Lankan Citizen, 2-Year SL Residency
Sri Lankan citizen continuously resident in Sri Lanka for at least 2 years immediately before the application deadline. Cannot hold US permanent residency, dual US/SL citizenship, or work/resident visas in another country.
Public-Service Commitment
Demonstrated leadership, public-service record, and a clear commitment to returning to Sri Lanka to apply what you learn — this is non-negotiable.
account_tree Application Process
Apply via US-SL Fulbright Commission
Submit the online application via fulbrightsrilanka.org. Core components: professional CV, personal statement, programme objectives, three professional references.
TOEFL / English Test
TOEFL iBT 71+ (or equivalent) is required at shortlist stage. Some fields request a higher score.
Interview & Nomination
Shortlisted candidates interview at the Fulbright Commission in Colombo. Successful nominees are forwarded to the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington for global review.
Host University Placement
IIE places approved fellows at one of ~15 US host universities (e.g. American University, Cornell, Syracuse, Vanderbilt) based on field and fit. You do not choose the host campus.
Why Humphrey?
A senior-track exchange programme designed for working professionals — not an academic Master's. Builds policy, leadership, and professional networks rather than another credential.
~200
Fellows / Year Globally
15+
US Host Universities
Since 1978
Programme Running
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