The Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program

🌟 We are thrilled to welcome our 2025-2026 Humphrey Fellows to the United States! 🌍

This year, 117 exceptional professionals from 79 countries will take part in intensive academic coursework and professional development as part of the Humphrey Fellowship Program. Fellows will join multinational thematic cohorts at 11 U.S. host universities across 9 states, including Washington, DC, gaining the skills needed to tackle critical global challenges.

Throughout the year, Fellows will collaborate with American students, communities, and leading experts in fields like emerging technology policy, combating human and drug trafficking, and fostering economic growth and trade partnerships. They’ll gain invaluable insights through professional development opportunities, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of American culture, innovation, and values—all while celebrating America 250!

Follow us for updates and stories from this year’s Fellows! Humphrey Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt University
The Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at Emory University
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at Virginia Commonwealth University Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at the University of California, Davis Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at the UMN Law School
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at American University
The Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at MIT
The Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at Maxwell, Syracuse Univ.
The Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Program at Arizona State University
Fulbright Humphrey Fellowship at Cornell University
Michigan State University Humphrey Fellowship Program

🌍🤖 Over the past three weeks, 15 senior policy leaders from 11 countries came together for the State Department’s Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program on Emerging Technology, hosted in partnership with Duke University.

From executive-level seminars to dynamic discussions with U.S. government experts from the Departments of Defense, State, Commerce, and Energy, Fellows explored critical topics including AI, cybersecurity, and data privacy. They also connected with American technology leaders across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to exchange best practices, highlight American leadership in technology, and drive global innovation.

📍 Across the U.S.—from California to North Carolina, Kentucky, New York, and Washington, DC, — Fellows engaged with local experts, state leaders, and researchers to address issues like workforce development, public-private-academia partnerships, and the intersection of digital technologies and national security.

Fellows also heard directly from one of the leading authors of America’s AI Plan. This strategic initiative aims to bolster U.S. economic competitiveness by fostering innovation, advancing responsible AI development, and ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of emerging technologies. They delved into how the plan drives AI progress while promoting global partnerships to address cyber threats and shape a secure and prosperous digital future. Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State Sanford School of Public Policy

We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Duke University to host the Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship on Emerging Technology Policy!

This short-term program brings senior tech policy leaders from 12 countries to the United States, connecting them with American experts and collaborating to advance practical policy solutions for a safer and more secure digital world.

🎉 Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Humphrey Fellows! 🎉

Over 140 professionals from 90+ countries successfully completed an academic year of intensive professional development and study at U.S. universities around the country. Humphrey Fellows exchanged best practices with American experts, forming lasting professional ties and laying the groundwork for positive change in critical fields.

They will join a network of nearly 7,000 Humphrey alumni, including prominent ambassadors, state and cabinet ministers, Supreme Court justices, CEOs, and other influential leaders who shape policy and are at the forefront in tackling global challenges. We thank this year’s cohort for their contributions to communities across the United States, and we look forward to following your continued success!

Ninoska Leiva is making waves as the Director of Corporate Communications and Environmental Relations at Central University of Chile. With skills honed during her Humphrey Fellowship, she is spearheading sustainability initiatives, building collaborative networks, and paving the way for a more connected future in Chile. 💡🌱

Marzia Saleem, Deputy Commissioner at Punjab Revenue Authority, is redefining revenue management in Pakistan. Her innovative strategies prioritize transparency and efficiency. Marzia’s work is a key driver of development, ensuring better public services and long-term growth for her community. 🌍💼

Don’t miss tomorrow’s alumni webinar 🌟 Hear from three inspiring during a special panel discussion as they share their grant experiences and impactful projects:
🔹 Dr. Ariyaratne Manathunge (Sri Lanka, 2008-2009) will discuss how he utilized a Professional Development Grant to attend the International AIDS Society Conference, advancing his work on HIV prevention strategies
🔹 Ackson Mwanza (Zambia, 2017-2018) will share insights on leading a Collaborative Alumni Project titled, “The Impact of El Niño on Agriculture and Food Security in Southern Africa,” with Humphrey alumni Bob Mandinyenya (Zimbabwe) and Albert Novas Somanje (Zambia) to train and equip community members in climate conscious agricultural techniques
🔹 Hazell Flores (Nicaragua, 2021-2022) will highlight her Alumni Impact Award project, “Agribusiness Incubator for Rural Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean,” empowering the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs to succeed in sustainable agribusiness by providing training in sustainable farming practices and market access
📅 Webinar Date: January 28, 2025, at 7am EST
📲 Register here: https://loom.ly/TANPzUU
This is your chance to learn from their experiences and explore how alumni grants can help you create meaningful change in your community

Join us on January 28 for the Humphrey Alumni Awards Experience Webinar! Hear from alumni about their grant projects, tips for applying, and the impact of their work.
Ready to apply? The Professional Development Grant and Alumni Impact Awards are open through the alumni portal.
Register here: https://loom.ly/TANPzUU

Through the Humphrey Alumni Impact Award, Alumnus Katumba Ssekikumbo launched “The Mobile Foundational Skills Lab” in Uganda, transforming education for 300 young learners. With a mobile classroom equipped with tablets and books, the initiative improved literacy and numeracy rates while sparking enthusiasm among students and parents. Inspired by his Humphrey Fellowship at Vanderbilt, Mr. Ssekikumbo is expanding this impactful program to reach more students!

To commemorate 20 years since the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Humphrey Alumnus Novil Wijesekara launched the “Tsunami 20+ NextGen Photowall of Resilience.” This 10-week program empowered 50 youth leaders to advocate for disaster risk reduction, culminating in 62 powerful photo stories and the NextGen Youth Disaster Risk Reduction Declaration. Learn more: https://loom.ly/806BuWw

UC Davis Humphrey Fellow Ana K. Celis is driving impact in subterranean ecosystem conservation. During her field visit to Arizona, she explored cave management strategies with U.S. experts, gaining insights to enhance conservation efforts in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Her work strengthens U.S.-Mexico partnerships, bridging efforts between Mammoth Cave National Park and Ox Bel Ha to protect vital karst ecosystems.

In observance of the National Day of Mourning, the Humphrey Fellowship Program honors and remembers President Carter, who established the program in 1978. View our tribute message here: https://loom.ly/-_Ein4U