The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a one-year, full scholarship program offered to mid-career professionals who have a commitment to public service, are in leadership positions and at a point in their careers to fully benefit from an independent study program at a leading U.S. university. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. The Program awards a certificate from the U.S. Government but it is not designed to deliver an advanced degree. As a non-degree program, the Fellowship offers valuable opportunities for professional development through selected university courses, conferences, networking, and practical work experiences.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP
- Armenian citizenship and residency
- A Bachelor's degree
- Five years of substantial professional experience
- Interest in the policy aspects of respective field of specialization
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and a record of public service
- Fluency in English
- Eligibility for a J1 visa (2 year home-country residency restriction, following conclusion of Program)
ELIGIBLE FIELDS ARE:
- Agricultural & Rural Development
- Communications/Journalism
- **Substance Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention**
- Economic Development/Finance and Banking
- Educational Administration, Planning and Policy
- Higher Education Administration
- HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention
- Law and Human Rights
- Natural Resources/Environmental Policy/Climate Change
- Public Health Policy and Management
- Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration
- Technology Policy and Management
- Trafficking in Persons, Policy and Prevention
- Urban and Regional Planning
** Candidates in this field must have either a research background in the field or demonstrate an ability to learn the results and policy implications of current research. A short additional application page is included in the application package.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND COMPETITION SCHEDULE Applications must be submitted before June 22, 2015. After a nationwide selection process, the finalists will take the TOEFL exam (if available by the time of application submission; otherwise selected candidates will be required to take the TOEFL test by September 18, 2015. The Embassy will help with the test arrangement). Armenia administers an Internet based test (IBT). Applicants with TOEFL scores lower than 71 (or its paper-based 525 and computer-based 195 equivalents) will be technically ineligible.
The final nominations are reviewed in the United States by an independent review committee and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Awards are announced by March each year for Fellowships beginning in August/September. Approximately 18 university campuses in the United States have been selected through a competitive process to host Humphrey fellows.
Application Submission Process:
Interested applicants must complete an online application on the https://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/ site. Please register by creating a user name and a password, and proceed with the application as prompted by the application. Please save your data after completing each page. After saving a page, you will be able to log off and return to your application later. Applicants will be able to send online requests for recommendation letters and the English assessment to their recommenders/evaluators. After you log in again and enter the application, completed sections will have green arrows and sections. Please submit your online application ONLY when the information is complete and the supplementary documents are obtained. Once you submit your application, you will not have access to it and will not be able to view it. Only online applications will be considered.
For questions that have not been covered on the website and this announcement, email Anahit Khachatryan, Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy at Fulbright@usa.am.
Deadline for submission: June 22, 2015
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How strict are the deadlines? Deadlines are firm.
If I was not successful in previous competitions, can I apply again? Yes.
What are the selection criteria? The following factors are considered: leadership ability, commitment to public service, candidate's objectives and program plan/personal statement, professional and personal qualifications, and need for the program and language proficiency. Preference will be given to candidates with little or no previous experience in the United States. While not considered ineligible, candidates who have already participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs are unlikely to be selected.
Can I complete my Master’s Degree while on the program? No. The Humphrey Fellowship is a non-degree program.
What are the basic benefits? The Humphrey Fellowship provides international travel, tuition and university fees, accident/sickness insurance, monthly maintenance allowance and funding for books and professional activities. The Humphrey Program does not provide financial support for accompanying dependents.
Can family members accompany the Fellow? The Humphrey award does not include an additional allowance for dependents. The Fellow may request permission for dependents to join him/her in the US, but must show proof of adequate personal funds to cover high living expenses and dependent's health insurance.
Do I have to arrange university affiliation in the United States? No. There is no provision for Fellows to request placement at any particular university. The universities are selected on a competitive basis. Each university is chosen based on institutional resources and the level of support and guidance it offers to the participants.
Should I include references in the application package? 2 reference letters are required: one from the current employer and one from a mentor or an associate outside of the current work setting. References should be provided online together with the application.
When should I submit diploma transcripts/translations? Since this is costly, we require it only for the finalists. Please make sure you will be able to submit it when you are selected as a finalist. If you are unable to submit it, you will be considered ineligible.