Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships

2009-2010 Humphrey Program Competition

The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the 2009-2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for mid-career professionals. Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who show potential for leadership and a commitment to public service in the pubic and/or private sectors. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for a year of combined academic (NON-DEGREE) and professional work. Fellows are selected based on potential for leadership and commitment to public service. By providing future leaders and policy makers with experience in U. S. society, culture, and professional fields, the program provides a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts overseas.

FELLOWSHIP FIELDS: Fellowships are granted competitively to both public and private sector candidates with strong leadership potential and a commitment to public service in the fields of:

 

Communications/Journalism	Finance And Banking
Public Administration	Human Resource Management
Economic Development	Law/Human Rights
Agricultural Development	Urban and Regional Planning
Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Policy	Technology Policy and Management
Drug Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention	Educational Planning and Administration
Hiv/Aids Policy And Prevention	Public Health Policy and Management
Natural Resources/ Environmental Management	TEFL (teacher training or curriculum development)

RECRUITMENT: Appropriate candidates are mid-career professionals in leadership positions who have the required experience/skills, commitment to public service, and potential for advancement in their professions. Prospective-fellows should have a minimum of five years professional experience and should be policy rather than research or technically oriented.

NOT ELIGIBLE:

• Recent graduates (even if they have significant positions)
• University teachers with no management responsibilities (except in the fields of drug abuse prevention and TOEFL)
• Individuals with less than five years of work experience
• Individuals with recent U.S. experience (more than 6 months within the last 5 years)
• Individuals who have attended a graduate school in the U.S. for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2009
• Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status
• A candidate with recent third-country experience may have a less compelling need for the Humphrey Program than a candidate who has never had a significant professional stay abroad. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Albanian citizenship, permanent employment in Albania, university degree, English proficiency; age limit: 50

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Recipients of the Humphrey Fellowship must return to Albania for a minimum of two years. Family members are not allowed to accompany Humphrey Fellows to the United States during the Fellowship. 

NIDA-FUNDED HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIPS (DRUG ABUSE): The drug abuse component of the field of public health policy and management emphasizes drug abuse education, treatment, and prevention. Fellowships funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) target more specialized candidates. Appropriate candidates for NIDA-funded Humphrey Fellowships include mid-level researchers, research managers and policy makers in universities, drug abuse prevention or treatment programs, health or social services industries or medical facilities. Candidates preferably should have a doctoral degree or equivalent in medicine, health, behavioral or social science. Professionals employed by social welfare, education or community-based organizations would be appropriate if they meet the general eligibility criteria. Law enforcement candidates are not eligible unless they have a public health focus on drug abuse epidemiology, education, treatment and prevention, and meet the requirements to follow a program based in a school of public health. All candidates applying for fellowships in the field of drug abuse should fill out the NIDA form regardless of degree held, number of publications, or research experience. Candidates in other fields should omit the NIDA page.

NATURE OF THE PROGRAM: It is essential that candidates have a clear understanding of the professional development component of the program. If a candidate's intent is to pursue an advanced academic degree, or to attend a specific university, he/she cannot be nominated for the program.

APPLICATIONS: The deadline for receipt of applications is June 13, 2008. Each page of the enclosed 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.

DO NOT WRITE BY HAND. Computer generated applications are required. Print out all pages after completion and sign in ink the bottom of form B and the "Personal Information" form before submitting your application.2.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS:

• One photograph
• Copy of passport
• Evidence of employment in Albania (letter from employer confirming employment)
• Xeroxed and translated copies of university diploma(s) and/or other certificates received at training workshops
• Curriculum vitae

Following a technical review, candidates will be invited for an interview at the end of July. Finalists will be notified in mid August. Final selection results will be made by March of 2009.

English language testing (TOEFL test): All applicants will be required to take the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (ITP TOEFL) offered by the U.S. Embassy at a cost 35 EURO, on July 13, 2007. If you have taken the test in the past 2 years please attach the score report. Selected candidates will be requested to take the Official TOEFL test. The U.S. Embassy will cover the cost of the Official TOEFL test. The test (internet based) is administered in Tirana at the Lincoln Center, Rruga "Qemal Stafa", Nr. 184, Tirana,  Shkolla "Drita e Diturise" Rruga Ismail Qemali, No.30, Tirana. Minimum required score is 550 (paper based), 213(computer based), 79-80 (internet based).

SELECTION: Selection for the Humphrey program is competitive. In 2002, 352 finalists were nominated worldwide, and 167 fellowships were awarded. Review panels give special consideration to the candidates who meet all program requirements including demonstrated leadership ability/ potential, a commitment to public service, and a well-developed program plan.

 
PROGRAM COMPONENTS 

A. Academic placement in a non-degree program: The Humphrey program is not designed to lead to a degree. Rather, fellows pursue tailored study programs at participating host institutions. There is no provision for fellows to request a particular university for placement. 15 campuses have been selected through a competitive process to host fellows in field of study groups. A university is chosen based on the richness of its institutional resource base and level of support and guidance it offers to the participants. Each campus has a designated faculty coordinator for academic and administrative support. Faculty advisers also assist fellows in balancing academic and professional experience.

B. Professional development: this is one of the strongest features of the program. Each fellow's professional plan may include professional visits, conferences, and a professional affiliation (work placement) of at least six weeks. Early in the academic year, each fellow develops, with assistance from the Institute of International Education (IIE), the campus - coordinator, and faculty advisers, a plan for professional activities carefully geared to the fellow's need for relevant, practical professional experiences.

C. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS The Humphrey Fellowship provides tuition and university fees, a monthly maintenance allowance, a book and supplies allowance, a computer subsidy, round-trip international travel to the host institution (and to the Fellow's English-language training program when applicable) and domestic travel to Washington, D.C. for a special seminar. Supplementary funds are available for professional activities such as field trips or attendance at conferences. Humphrey Fellowships are not renewable. Humphrey Fellows should plan to bring with them some personal funds to cover incidental expenses not covered in the grant.