2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Scholarships

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for citizens of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The ten-month fellowship consists of academic coursework and an internship in a relevant professional organization. Fellows are accomplished mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership and the capacity to develop a self-defined program of independent academic and professional development.

Only online applications will be accepted this application cycle. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Monday, June 14th, 2021, – https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey

Humphrey Fellows pursue graduate-level study in the United States, build leadership skills, and build mutual cultural understanding with Americans. Because the Humphrey Fellowship does not offer a degree, Humphrey Fellows design and implement individualized programs to acquire career-related knowledge, interact with colleagues and gain professional experience, including arrangements for a six-week professional internship. In addition, Fellows may also attend special enrichment activities throughout their program. These activities are excellent opportunities to network with Humphrey Fellows from other countries and to interact with prominent Americans across a range of professional fields.

The prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Program provides future leaders and policy makers with experience in U.S. society, culture, and professional fields. It also provides a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts overseas.

The Humphrey Fellowship covers international travel, travel within the United States as required, tuition and fees, books, a monthly maintenance stipend, and limited funds for professional development activities such as attendance at conferences, field trips, and professional affiliations.

Fields of Study:

Human and Institutional Capacity

  1. Economic Development
  2. Finance and Banking
  3. Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
  4. Technology Policy and Management
  5. Human Resource Management

Rights and Freedoms 

  1. Communications and Journalism
  2. International Religious Freedom
  3. Law and Human Rights
  4. Trafficking in Persons Policy and Prevention

Sustainable Lands

  1. Agriculture and Rural Developments
  2. Natural resources, Environment Policy, and Climate Change
  3. Urban and regional Planning

Thriving Communities

  1. Contagious and Infectious Diseases
  2. Public Health Policy and Management
  3. HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
  4. Substance Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment
  5. Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
  6. Higher Education Administration
  7. Teaching of English as a Foreign Language

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be citizens of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu and currently reside in these countries
  • Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree (undergraduate) and a strong academic background demonstrated by their post-secondary transcripts
  • Applicants must have a minimum of five years of professional work experience
  • Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities — including volunteer experience and involvement in their communities
  • Applicants must have excellent English communication skills
  • Applicants must present three letters of recommendation from their professors and/or employers. One from professor and two from employers is highly recommended.
  • Applicants must submit two well-reasoned application essays: a description of the proposed professional development plan describing the area of interest and how it connects to your country’s development goals; and a personal statement describing your professional goals and public service commitment
  • Applicants must be committed to returning to his or her country of citizenship and outline a specific plan for using their Humphrey Fellowship experience in their professional lives and in service to his or her country
  • Strong preference will be given to applicants who have not had extensive or recent experience in the United States

Ineligibility Factors

  • Persons who have not been conferred their bachelor’s degree
  • Persons with a dual U.S./ Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu nationality
  • Persons who have a spouse, parent, fiancé, or child over 18 years of age who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Persons who have a pending application for immigration to any country (this includes Special Immigrant Visas)
  • Employees of any U.S. government agency (U.S. Embassy, USAID, CDC, DOD)

Fellowship Program Restrictions

No Dependents: The Humphrey Fellowship Program in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu is provided for the recipient only; dependents cannot be supported. There are no exceptions.

J-visa requirements: All fellowship recipients are required to return to their country of citizenship for at least two years at the conclusion of their fellowship in compliance with the J-visa requirements, to promote mutual understanding, and serve as future leaders in the public and private sectors of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. After recipients return to their country of citizenship and establish themselves in their careers, it is still possible to get a temporary visa to the U.S. allowing travel back and forth for business and tourism purposes. The restriction is on permanent work or immigration U.S. visas.

Application Instructions

We are excited to announce the launch of the 2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program application in our new application system called Slate!

  • Create an application in the new system to get the full applicant experience!
  • Access Slate and complete the registration page. You will receive a PIN via e-mail which will allow you to set your password. Follow the prompts to start an application. Please select your own country location as the country of citizenship.

Step 1: Determine eligibility. Read the instructions carefully. Before you apply, be sure that you qualify.

Step 2: Recruitment for the Humphrey Fellowship class of 2022-2023! Applicants can access the application here: https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey

Step 3: Start and complete all sections of the online application. For helpful hints, please refer to the tips for success section on the top right of this page.

  • Be sure to select the 2022-2023 Humphrey Fellowship cycle on the online application.
  • Applicants are not required to take any of the standardized tests in order to submit the application. The fellowship finalist and alternate candidates will receive test vouchers from the U.S. Embassy to complete the required tests as part of the candidate’s preparation for U.S. university admission. In section 24, applicants may list the following dates to indicate when he or she plans to take the tests.
  • Request letters of recommendations and provide all relevant instructions to professors and employers with the date by which they need to be completed. It is your responsibility to ensure they complete the letters on time towards your application.
  • Your essays are the most important part of your application. Plagiarism – the unfair use of the words and ideas of others – will not be tolerated and can lead to disqualification from the Humphrey Fellowship program. Please review the advice titled “Focus on Your Essays” on the top right section of this page under “Tips for Success.”

Step 4: Submit your online application before Monday, June 14th, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. (1630hrs) according to local time of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu time. Late applications will not be accepted.

Previous Humphrey Fellowship Applicants

Any person who has previously submitted a Humphrey Fellowship application must submit a new application. If you have submitted a previous application via the online platform, you must create a new account and create a new application to avoid technical complications. Humphrey Fellowship becomes more competitive each year as the number of applicants increases. Therefore, you are encouraged to revise your essays and update your information.

What is TOEFL?

Commonly known by its acronym TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. The test evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.

The TOEFL exam is required by almost every school for foreign students who want to study any subject in the United States. While there are additional requirements for international students to study in the U.S., the TOEFL is one of the most important standardized tests. Schools look to the TOEFL as one of their earliest indicators to see if a foreign student is ready to study in the U.S. Students should put in plenty of preparation to ensure they get a top score.

What is GRE?

Graduate Record Examination – or the GRE exam – is the most commonly required standard test for graduate (Masters Programs) school. It is a broad assessment of your critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills — all skills developed over the course of many years.

Admissions committees use the scores from the GRE along with undergraduate records, recommendations and other relevant criteria in evaluating candidates for admission to graduate courses. For some courses, GRE is a prerequisite; for others it may be recommended or not required. Always check the requirements of individual institutions before applying.

Where can you take the TOEFL and GRE in PNG?

Currently both these tests can be taken at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in Port Moresby.

To find out more information about the tests and how to register, use the following URL addresses. Registration is all online.

For the Fulbright program you do not need to sit the test to send in your initial application.

TOEFL – http://www.ets.org/toefl
GRE – http://www.ets.org/gre