Skip Global Navigation to Main Content
Skip Breadcrumb Navigation
Skip Left Navigation
Humphrey Fellowships

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Q - What is this Program?

A - This is a program for mid-career professionals in leadership positions. Successful applicants spend one academic year (from August or early September to June) in the United States in a non-degree program that involves a combination of academic study and professional development. Funding is provided by the Government of the United States of America through the U.S. Department of State. The funding covers the cost of tuition and university fees, a monthly maintenance allowance, a book and supplies allowance, round-trip transportation from Benin to the host university in the U.S., and transportation to Washington, D.C. for a special seminar.

Q - Who is eligible to apply?

A - Mid-career professionals from the public or private sector, eligible to apply are those who work in the following fields:

  1. Agricultural/Rural Development
  2. Climate Change
  3. Communications/Journalism
  4. Economic Development
  5. Education/Educational Planning
  6. Environmental Policy
  7. Finance and Banking
  8. HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
  9. Human Resources Management/Personnel

10.  Law, Civil Society, Human Rights, and Democratic Development

11.  Natural Resources Management

12.  Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration

13.  Public Health Policy and Management

14.  Substance Abuse Education, Prevention and Treatment

15.  Technology Policy and Management

16.  Teaching of English as a Foreign Language

17.  Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention

18.  Urban and Regional Planning 

Q - What are the minimum requirements?

A - Only applicants who meet the following minimum requirements can apply through the American Cultural Center in Cotonou:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of Benin;
  • Holders of a university degree awarded after at least four years of full-time study that is sufficient to qualify the person to be admitted to a graduate study program at a university in the U.S.;
  • Workers with at least five years of professional work experience prior to the commencement of their Fellowship and who desire to pursue study and professional development in the same field in which they have the five years of experience; and
  • People who are proficient in both written and spoken English with a TOEFL score  93+ internet based test (IBT).

Q - Who are the most competitive applicants?

A - Anyone meeting the minimum requirements may apply. However, people who have the following characteristics are the most competitive applicants and therefore the ones most likely to be selected:

  • People with limited U.S. experience;
  • People who have already demonstrated leadership qualities;
  • People who have already shown a commitment to public service;
  • People who have the potential to advance in their professional fields; and
  • People involved in establishing and implementing policy (as distinguished from people who only conduct research or who only perform technical functions).

Applications from women and people working at non-governmental organizations are encouraged.

In addition, researchers, treatment providers, prevention specialists, and public or private program planners in Substance abuse prevention and treatment are encourage to apply. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in the U.S. funds a limited number of Fellowships each year for such persons.

Q - What kinds of people are not eligible?

A - The following are examples of persons who are not eligible for this program:

  • Only those candidates with a score of at least 500 on the TOEFL test will be allowed to participate in the competition. Remember to take your TOEFL test by April 15, 2013;
  • University teachers with no management responsibilities;
  • People who have attended a graduate school in the U.S. for one academic year or more during the five years prior to August 2013;
  • People who have spent more than six months in the U.S. during the five years prior to August 2013; and
  • Persons who are dual citizens of the U.S. and another country, or who have U.S. permanent resident status (e.g.: Green Card holders).

Q - If I am eligible and meet the minimum requirements, how do I apply?

A - You must complete a package of application materials.

You should download the application form at Humphrey Preliminary Application Form, complete it, print it, and drop the hard copy at the American Cultural Center by May 1st, 2013 no later than 05:00 p.m.

The following pages from the application materials must be completed and returned to the American Cultural Center: Bio-Sheet A, Bio-Sheet B, Program Plan, Personal Statements A, Personal Statements B, NIDA (National Institute for Drug Abuse) page (if you are an applicant for a Fellowship involving Substance abuse education, prevention and treatment), Personal Information, and English Language.

Please note that application deadline is May 1st, 2013 at 05:00 p.m.