The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Embassy of the United States in Pristina is pleased to announce the annual Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for the 2027-2028 academic year. The United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board  (USKEB) is now accepting applications for the 2027-2028 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.  

This program, jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Kosovo, was established in 1978 to advance U.S. foreign policy goals through the exchange of accomplished mid-career professionals representing more than 100 eligible countries and territories worldwide. Humphrey Fellows work in critical fields, laying the groundwork for sustained engagement with partner countries to make the United States stronger, safer, and more prosperous. They apply the knowledge and experience gained through the program to shape national policy, promote stability, and foster long-term cooperation with the United States.

About the Program

The Humphrey Program sends accomplished mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership potential to the United States for a year of graduate-level, non-degree academic coursework and professional development activities. As part of the program, professional enrichment activities include visits to relevant industries, think tanks, and professional organizations; conferences; and a professional affiliation placement.

The professional affiliation provides firsthand exposure to a U.S. work environment on a full-time basis for a minimum period of six weeks. Early in the academic year, each Fellow develops (in coordination with the faculty advisor) a detailed plan of practical professional activities geared to program objectives.

Fellows are nominated based on their potential for leadership and commitment to public service.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program supports professionals working in the following fields:

  • Communications and Journalism

  • Law and Governance

  • Natural Resources Policy

  • Public and Economic Policy

  • Public Health Policy and Management

  • Technology Policy and Management

Duration and Key Conditions:

The Humphrey Fellowship is a 10-month program. Fellows are required to return to Kosovo for at least two (2) years at the conclusion of their fellowship. Family members may be eligible to accompany fellows on a case-by-case basis. The Humphrey Fellowship stipend is sufficient only to support the Fellow. All expenses for dependents must be covered by the Fellow. Family members are also subject to the two-year home residency requirement.

The Humphrey Fellowship provides:

  • Tuition and university fees

  • Monthly maintenance allowance

  • Book and supplies allowance

  • Computer subsidy

  • Round-trip international travel to the host institution (and to the Fellow’s English-language training program when applicable)

  • Domestic travel to Washington, D.C. for a special seminar

  • Supplementary funds for professional activities such as field trips or attendance at conferences

Applicants must:

  • Be citizen and resident of the Republic of Kosovo and must hold, or be eligible to hold, a valid Kosovan passport.

  • Have a first university degree (equivalent of a 4-year bachelor’s or undergraduate degree).

  • Be currently employed in Kosovo.

  • Have at least five years of full-time professional experience beyond attainment of a first university/undergraduate degree prior to August 2026.

  • Have management or policy responsibilities, including for those who are university teachers and/or teachers of English as a foreign language. Exceptions are made for scientists/researchers applying in the field of substance abuse education and policy.

  • Be proficient in oral and written English. All finalists will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Do not register for the test before you are notified of your status. If you have taken the test in the past two years, please attach the score report. Minimum required score is 71 on the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test).

  • Not have attended a graduate school in the United States for one academic year or more.

  • Not have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs within the last three years prior to the submission of their application.

A candidate will be removed from consideration if they do not meet all the technical eligibility requirements.

  • Recent university graduates (even if they have significant positions).

  • University teachers or academic researchers with no management responsibilities.

  • Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status.

  • Applicants who are not qualified to hold a valid passport as a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the country that they are applying from.

  • Local employees of U.S. Missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State, or the former U.S. Agency for International Development, including temporary employees and contractors, and members of their families as well as individuals who work for or are otherwise associated with an organization that is responsible for nominating or selecting individuals for participation in any ECA exchange program.

Application Process:

Qualified applicants must submit their applications online at:

https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey

Each page of the application carries its own instructions and should be read carefully before proceeding. Following the instructions given for each item, please answer every question as completely as possible.

A complete application includes:

  • Complete answers to all questions; essay responses must be in English and thoroughly address the prompts.

  • Two letters of reference in English; one must be from the applicant’s current employer.

  • Official transcripts in English. Ensure all transcripts uploaded are official, valid documents. Transcripts must list courses taken and grades received for undergraduate (first university or Bachelor’s) degree. Diplomas are required for all other higher education degrees (Masters and Doctoral), no transcripts are needed. Diplomas need only be uploaded for the undergraduate degree if the transcript does not show proof that the degree was obtained.

Incomplete or inaccurate applications may result in the candidate being technically ineligible for the program and may not move forward in the technical review process.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET)

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). If you have any questions or need additional information about the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, please contact the United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board at info@uskeb.org.

Official Website:
https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/

Program Details
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