Humphrey

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

The Humphrey Program Cycle 2014-2015 is now closed.

To find out about the program currently under review, please read below. This will help prepare you to apply next year. Information about next year’s program (2015-2016) will be updated soon.

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2014-2015 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program for citizens of Afghanistan. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program brings accomplished mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership potential to the United States for a year of graduate-level non-degree academic coursework and professional development activities. This ten month program consists of academic coursework and internship in a relevant professional organization. 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 counter parts overseas. Approximately 18 campuses have been selected through a competitive process to host fellows in group with thematic and subject affinities. Each university is chosen based on institutional resources and the level of support and guidance it offers for academic and administrative support. Faculty advisers also assist Fellows in pursuing balanced academic and professional programs. All participants must return to Afghanistan immediately following completion of their program.

All grantees receive tuition, monthly stipend, supplemental health and accident benefits, book and supplies allowance, travel support and the opportunity to attend Humphrey enrichment activities and seminars. Selected candidates may be required to travel to the U.S. as early as January 2014 for pre-academic English and writing seminars or as late as the start of the academic year in late summer 2014. The U.S. Government is committed to a clear and transparent selection process to identify the country’s most promising candidates. Please read the below guidance thoroughly. Before you apply, consider whether you can commit to full participation in every aspect of the program.

DEADLINE:

The deadline for submitting applications is May 1, 2013 at 11:59 pm Kabul time. The application is available online at: http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/. Late applications will not be accepted. Fellowships will be awarded for academic programs beginning in the United States in August/September 2014. However, some applicants may be required to attend pre-academic programs beginning as early as January 2014. Placement in pre-academic programs is determined by the Embassy in coordination with the Institute for International Education (IIE). Those selected for a pre-academic program must participate in order to continue to the Fulbright program.

Program Overview

The Hubert H. Humphrey Program enables Afghans to pursue graduate-level study in the United States, build leadership skills and build mutual cultural understanding with Americans. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides ten months of non-degree academic study and related professional experiences in the United States. 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 affiliation. 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.

Humphrey Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or the private sector. The Humphrey Program fosters a mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the United States and the Fellows' home countries. The Program offers Fellows valuable opportunities for leadership development and professional engagement with Americans and their counterparts from many nations. More than 4,000 men and women have been honored as Humphrey Fellows since the program began in 1978. Approximately 200 Fellowships are awarded annually. Eighteen major universities in the United States host Humphrey Fellows. These host universities are chosen for their excellence in the Program's designated fields of study and for the resources and support they offer Humphrey Fellows.

Humphrey Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who are mid-career professionals in many fields. To read more about the professional fields, please go to the "Program Fields" section.

The Humphrey Program is a Fulbright exchange activity. Its primary funding is provided by the U.S. Congress through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. Co-sponsors include other governmental agencies, multinational organizations, and private donors. The Institute of International Education (IIE) assists the U.S. Department of State in administering the Humphrey Fellowship Program.

All grantees are required to return to Afghanistan for at least two years at the conclusion of their grant in compliance with the J-visa requirements, to promote mutual understanding, and serve as future leaders in the public and private sectors of Afghanistan. After our grantees return to Afghanistan and establish themselves in their careers, it is still possible to get another visa to the U.S. allowing travel back and forth on necessary business.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be citizens of Afghanistan and currently reside/live in Afghanistan,

Applicants must have an undergraduate (first university/bachelor’s) degree by August 2013 and a strong academic background as demonstrated by their post-secondary transcripts. Applicants with a Master’s degree would generally be considered stronger but it is not a requirement,

Applicants must have a minimum of five years of substantial, full-time, professional experience in a related field,

Applicants must present three letters of recommendation from their professors and/or employers (usually two from employers and one from a professor),

Applicants should pass an Institutional TOEFL exam (PBT) in June 2013 with a score of at least 500 points – this score corresponds to an advanced level of proficiency in general English; knowledge of specialized English in your particular field is not sufficient (note: this is the minimum score recommended to continue in the application process. To be competitive in university placement, applicants often score above 600 in the paper based TOEFL test in August 2013),

Applicants should have limited or no prior experience in the United States,

Applicants should demonstrate leadership qualities,

Applicants should demonstrate a record of public service in the community,

Applicants should submit application essays with clear goals, well-reasoned statements describing why a specific academic track is the best fit, and tying their academic plans to longer term professional goals,

Applicants must be committed to returning to Afghanistan and a specific plan for using their Fulbright experience in their professional lives and in service to their country.

Applicants currently living in the U.S. and U.S. citizens are ineligible for the program.

*Please note that applicants are judged according to their complete application (TOEFL scores, essays, experience, interview, etc.). The most qualified and competitive candidates will be selected for nomination by the U.S. Embassy. The President’s Humphrey Scholarship Board in Washington, DC makes the final determination of candidates from nominees around the world.

Program Fields

Humphrey Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who are mid-career professionals in many fields, among them:

No Dependents

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Afghanistan is provided for the recipient only; dependents cannot be supported and Maharam are not allowed. Dependents and family members of Afghan Fellows are not permitted to accompany them to the United States. All Fellows must return to Afghanistan immediately following the completion of their academic program in the United States.

How to Apply

To apply for the 2014-2015 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, you must submit a preliminary application online at: http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/ by May 1, 2013, 11:59 pm Kabul Time. Late applications will not be accepted.

Step 1: Are you eligible? Read the instructions carefully. Before you apply, be sure that you qualify.

The Humphrey Fellowship is open to Afghan citizens living in Afghanistan, who:

Hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree but a Master’s degree is preferred;
Want to pursue graduate study;
Are proficient in English;
Are able to function easily in academic and social settings;
Have a demonstrated record of public service/volunteer work;
Have at least five years of full-time, progressively responsible, professional work experience in a related field; and
Have a commitment to return to Afghanistan and use their experience to strengthen their society.

Step 2: Apply online. To apply be sure to select the 2014-2015 Humphrey Fellowship cycle. You must submit your application online by 11:59 pm (23:59) Kabul time on May 1, 2013 at: http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/

Unfortunately, the Embark system currently allows students to select and apply under last year’s cycle. Applicants submitted to the incorrect cycle will not be received and cannot be considered. Be sure to select the 2014-2015 program to be considered!

The application will ask you to provide such information as:

Proposed field of study
Future plans
Educational background
Work experience
Language skills
Study/research objectives
Personal history
Academic transcripts
Three letters of recommendation from your supervisors or former professors (usually two from professors and one from an employer).

Please review the advice on writing a Statement of Purpose in the link “Focus on Your Essays.” Plagiarism – the unfair use of the words and ideas of others – will not be tolerated and can lead to disqualification from the Fulbright program.

Step 3: The U.S. Embassy reviews the applications and contacts the applicants who have been selected to continue in the process. They will be informed that they are registered for a free English test called the institutional TOEFL (iTOEFL). We expect the iTOEFL to be offered in late May and early June.

Step 4: After we receive the institutional TOEFL scores, the U.S. Embassy will contact the most competitive applicants for a personal interview, beginning at the end of June.

Step 5: We will make the final decisions on the selected nominees and notify all applicants of the decisions by the end of July.

Step 6: The Humphrey Committee in Washington will review the applications of the selected nominees, and based on a world-wide competition, will select the final participants. Successful applicants will be paired with a U.S. institution pending the applicants’ final competitive scores on the TOEFL test.

*Please note that the visa process is completely separate from the application process. Once program participants have been placed by Washington and IIE, participants can schedule their interviews. Upon successful interviews and processing, when the participant receives their visa, travel arrangements can be made.

Applied for Fulbright/Humphrey before?

We encourage applicants who have applied previously to submit new and revised applications. Humphrey becomes more competitive each year as the number of applicants increases and you are encouraged to revise your essays and update your information.

You must create a NEW account in Embark. Applications submitted for previous years cannot be considered due to a technical problem with the Embark system. Please create a new account by using new email address and enter in your information under the 2014-2015 cycle. If you do not choose the 2014-2015 application, your application will not be considered. Be careful! Choose 2014-2015!

Selection Process

Selection for the Humphrey program is highly competitive. The selection process is:

1) Technical Review – all applications are screened by Embassy staff for technical eligibility, such as Afghan citizenship.

2) Panel Review – each application is reviewed by four American Embassy staff who complete a score sheet providing an overall rank from 1 (not recommended) to 5 (strongly recommended). During the panel review, applications are scored based on clarity of study objectives, future plans, academic background, well-roundedness (work and volunteer experience, hobbies, etc.), English skills, quality of essays, letters of recommendation, likelihood to benefit from an exchange program to the U.S., and whether or not plagiarism is suspected. The combined score (4 through 20) is calculated and candidates are ranked accordingly.

3) Plagiarism Review – all applications suspected of plagiarism are reviewed again. Plagiarized applications are rejected at this time.

4) Test of English Language – Pending confirmation of total program funding, the top 400 (approximately) applicants pass the Panel Review and are invited to sit for the institutional paper-based Test of English as a Second Language (iTOEFL). The exam is offered at no charge in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif and Nangarhar. Applicants must be present on the date/time of their scheduled exam (likely to occur in late May to early June). Applicants with a valid regular TOEFL score taken within the last two years can submit a copy of their scorecard in place of sitting for the iTOEFL. It is recommended that you sit for the iTOEFL unless your score on the regular TOEFL is over 610. Applicants are ranked by their scores and the top approximately 50% are invited to the Interview Panel round.

5) Interview Panel –Interviews must be completed in person in Kabul and candidates are ranked on clarity of study objectives, long-term goals, volunteer/community involvement, commitment to the program, etc. The interview panel includes a subject matter expert from the Fulbright/Humphrey alumni community and up to three Embassy staff. Applicants are ranked independently by each reviewer and cumulative scores are used to select finalist and alternates for the 2014-2015 program.

6) Standardized tests and submission of documentation – After selection as a finalist or alternate by the Embassy, candidates must take the TOEFL test, and receive scores above minimum requirements for placement at a U.S. institution. In addition, candidates must submit hard copies of their diploma, transcripts and any other required documents. Failure to meet any of these requirements will mean candidates must be dropped from the program and requested to apply again for the next year.

Please note that applicants are judged according to their complete application (Essays, exam scores, work and volunteer experience, interview, etc.). The most qualified and competitive candidates will be selected for nomination by the U.S. Embassy. The Humphrey Committee in Washington, DC makes the final determination approving of candidates from nominees around the world in October. Finally, candidates must apply for and receive a visa for travel to the U.S. This process is separate from the application procedures and cannot be influenced by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs representatives.

Completion of Program

All Fellows are expected to complete their programs and all degree requirements in a timely manner. Note that Humphrey has specific requirements for minimum grade point average and students must generally maintain a B average or better. All Fellows must return to Afghanistan immediately following the completion of their academic program in the United States. This is a requirement of the J-1 visa and of the Fulbright/Humphrey programs. After our grantees return to Afghanistan and establish themselves in their careers, it is still possible to get another visa to the U.S. allowing travel back and forth on necessary business.

Tips for Success

Please review our “Tips” for success, located on the right side of this page. The Focus on Your Essays section has been particularly useful for previous applicants. There is guidance on preparing for the interview, preparing for the iTOEFL or TOEFL tests, and strengthening your letters of recommendation.

Questions?

If you can’t find the answer here, please email KabulPDExchanges@state.gov for assistance. Also, please see our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) for the Humphrey Programs and check out the official Humphrey website https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/. For more information about IIE and the Fulbright programs in general, please see www.iie.org and http://eca.state.gov/Fulbright.

Good luck!

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q - Is the Humphrey Program a degree-granting program?

The Hubert H. Humphrey program provides ten months of non-degree academic study and related professional experiences in the United States. Because the Humphrey program does not offer a degree, 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 affiliation. However, depending on the institution and the level of the participant’s English skill, academic credit may be awarded for the courses. Thus, it is very important to study English prior to the program.

Q - How do I apply for the Humphrey Program?

The Humphrey Program’s application process is lengthy and rigorous, and prospective applicants are encouraged to consider carefully their intentions, goals, future plans and prospective projects before applying for a Humphrey Fellowship.

The Humphrey Program operates on a yearly application cycle. In Afghanistan, the application cycle begins on March 1^st of each year and all applications are due by the May 1^st deadline.

All applicants should follow the following steps while applying for the Humphrey program:

Step 1: The first step in applying for the Humphrey Fellowship is to read the instructions carefully on the US Embassy website http://kabul.usembassy.gov/humphrey2.html . Before you apply, be sure you meet all the requirements.

Step 2: To apply for the 2014-2015 Humphrey Fellowship, you must submit a preliminary application online; http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/ by 11:59pm Kabul time on May 1, 2013.

Q – How do I submit supporting documents for the Humphrey Fellowship program?

All the applicants can attach their transcripts, diplomas and letters of reference while completing the applications online or bring a hard copy when called for an interview. Please review our “Tips” for success, located on the right side of this page. The Focus on Your Essays section has been particularly useful for previous applicants. There is guidance on preparing for the interview, preparing for the iTOEFL or TOEFL tests, and strengthening your letters of recommendation.

Q – What are the criteria for applying to the Humphrey Fellowship program?

The following are the basic requirements for the Humphrey Fellowship program:

Applicants must be Afghan nationals currently residing in Afghanistan;
All applicants must have five years of related working experience;
All applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree;
They must provide three letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers;
Candidates must demonstrate a high level of academic English;
Candidates must have limited or no prior experience in the United States; and
Candidates must demonstrate leadership qualities
Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to their communities and Afghanistan

Q - I am a dual citizen of the U.S. and Afghanistan. Am I eligible to apply?

No. Any dual U.S. citizen regardless of the other citizenship cannot apply from another country for a Fulbright grant to the United States as all U.S. citizens are ineligible for Fulbright grants to the U.S.

Non-U.S. citizens who have legal permanent residency status in the United States are also not eligible for any Fulbright grants.

Q - I am a foreign citizen living in the United States. Am I eligible for a Fulbright grant to start or continue study in the U.S.?

No, you are not eligible for a Fulbright grant to study in the United States as a non-U.S. citizen already in the U.S. Non-U.S. citizens must apply to the program from their home country and required to be resident there at the time of application.

Q - Do I need to submit a TOEFL score with my application?

No. Applicants that are selected to continue on to the next phase of the selection process will be scheduled to take the institutional TOEFL (iTOEFL) exam in either May or June. The Humphrey Program covers the cost of the exam. If, however, you have valid TOEFL scores, please attach them with your application. The best documented score will be considered.

Q - I worked part-time in a professional position while studying at university. Does that qualify me for the Humphrey Fellowship Program?

Candidates for the Humphrey Program should have at least five years of full-time experience in their professional field and should be at a point in their careers to fully benefit from this mid-career program. Candidates with only part-time work experience may not be considered eligible.

Q - How are Humphrey Fellows selected?

Participants will be recruited through a merit-based, open competition and chosen based upon their leadership potential, academic excellence, maturity, ability to adjust successfully to life in the U.S., strong interest in engaging Americans, and potential to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Afghanistan.

For more information please visit: http://kabul.usembassy.gov/humphrey2.html or www.humphreyfellowship.org.

Q - If I’m selected, what are the time demands of the Humphrey Program?

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is quite rigorous and life as a Humphrey Fellow does not resemble that of a graduate student with regular hours and a predictable schedule. There are many activities required of Humphrey Fellows. They go on field trips, attend a weekly Humphrey Seminar, as well as other conferences and networking meetings, and may spend long hours each day in classes and involved in campus and community activities. Fellows also travel away from their host campus as part of the Fellowship Program, spending two week in Washington, DC for national program events. Fellows may also attend workshops and conferences in other parts of the country at various times throughout the year.

Q - May I bring my family with me?

Q - May I choose the university I will go to?

Fellows are not able to choose which university they will attend. Rather, they are assigned in diverse groups of 7-15 fellows to the most appropriate host institution based on their area of interest and professional field.

Q - May I extend the period of my Fellowship?

No. Humphrey Fellowships are for one academic year only. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Q - What does the Fellowship stipend cover?

The Fellowship provides for:

Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university
Pre-academic English language training, if required
Maintenance living allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance
Accident and health benefits
Book allowance
One-time computer subsidy
Air travel (international travel to/from the United States and domestic travel required for Program events)
Professional Development allowance for professional activities, such as field trips, professional visits and conferences

Q – What professional fields of study are available in the Humphrey Fellowship program?

The Humphrey Fellowships are awarded competitively to candidates who are mid-career professionals in many fields, among them:

Q – Can an applicant apply to both the Humphrey and the Fulbright Graduate or Doctoral programs at the same time?

Applicants can apply to both types of programs at the same time if they meet the requirements of both programs. If interested, we encourage you to do so.

Q – Are the requirements the same for applicants from private universities and public universities in Afghanistan?

All the applicants from both the public and the private universities are treated the same as long as their respective universities are registered with the Ministry of Higher Education in Afghanistan.

Q – How frequently does the US Embassy provide opportunities to apply for the Humphrey Fellowship program?

The US Embassy in Kabul offers the Humphrey Fellowship program every year. The applications will be available online starting March 1^st to May 1^st. For additional information, please visit the US Embassy website http://kabul.usembassy.gov/humphrey2.html.

Q – Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test required for the Humphrey Fellowship program?

No, only the Fulbright Graduate and Doctoral applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test.

Q – Is there an age limitation for the Humphrey program?

There is no age limitation for the Humphrey program applicants as long as they meet the major requirements which are listed in the Humphrey program page on the US Embassy website http://kabul.usembassy.gov/humphrey2.html.

Q - If I’m not selected this year, may I reapply?

Participants generally may reapply for Fulbright programs, including the Humphrey program.

Q - The Consular Officer said my visa was approved, but administrative processing was required. I have been waiting a long time and I still have not received my visa. Why is it taking so long and when will it be ready?

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview, but some cases do take longer. The timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visa, well in advance of the anticipated travel date, whenever possible. You should not purchase any air tickets that you are unable to change before you have received your visa.

*This process is separate from the program application procedures and cannot be influenced by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs representatives. See the question below for instructions on how to check the status of your visa.

Q - How will I know my visa processing is complete?

You should check the status of your visa by visiting the Consular website at http://kabul.usembassy.gov/processing_time_visa_applications.html. Please follow the instructions given there.

For more information, please visit: http://kabul.usembassy.gov/humphrey2.html or https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/.

More questions? Please email KabulPDExchanges@state.gov

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