FY 2027 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, is a prestigious Fulbright exchange initiative aimed at advancing U.S. foreign policy goals through the strategic exchange of mid-career professionals from over 100 countries. Since its inception in 1978, the program has cultivated a global network of leaders who acquire first-hand knowledge of U.S. institutions and policies, allowing them to return to their home countries with the skills, insight, and connections necessary to promote stability, economic growth, democratic values, and mutually beneficial international cooperation. The program is designed as a non-degree academic and professional experience, offering two core components: a full academic year fellowship and a shorter thematic initiative known as the Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program (DHFP). Both tracks involve rigorous academic work at select U.S. host universities, exposure to U.S. public and private sector practices, and networking opportunities with American counterparts. The academic-year component includes at least six weeks of professional affiliation, while the DHFP compresses professional engagement into a focused, approximately 18-day period. In both formats, fellows are placed in multi-national cohorts aligned by thematic areas relevant to global and U.S. strategic interests, such as governance, public health, environmental sustainability, and freedom of expression. Applicants for the cooperative agreement to administer this program must be U.S.-based nonprofit or educational institutions with at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. The anticipated funding available is approximately $10.25 million, with a potential performance period of up to 36 months. The selected recipient will be responsible for concurrent program cycles, including recruitment, placement, administration, and alumni engagement for both the academic year and DHFP components. Key responsibilities include organizing a Global Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.; facilitating professional affiliations and placements; overseeing host institution selection and coordination; managing fellow disbursements; and ensuring participant wellbeing and compliance with J-1 visa requirements. Applications must include a full proposal narrative, SF-424, SF-424A, detailed budget, and budget narrative. Submissions are accepted via Grants.gov and must be completed by May 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Only one application per organization will be reviewed, and all applicants must have a valid SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The anticipated award date is October 1, 2026. The Department of State reserves the right to renew the award for two additional fiscal years based on performance and funding availability. Evaluation criteria for proposals include program design quality, institutional capacity, impact and sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and the strength of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. Applicants are required to align with ECA’s MODE Framework for performance measurement, with specific objectives and indicators tied to cross-cultural engagement, leadership development, and alumni impact. Final decisions will be made by ECA’s Assistant Secretary, with oversight from a Grants Officer. Notification will follow the review process, and successful recipients will manage reporting requirements through ECA’s MyGrants system and the HHS Payment Management System. Throughout the award period, recipients are expected to remain responsive to evolving U.S. foreign policy priorities, demonstrate fiscal and programmatic accountability, and support efforts to increase engagement with human rights and democracy leaders, especially in countries lacking full freedoms. The program’s flexibility in transitioning between in-person, hybrid, or virtual modalities ensures its resilience amid global challenges. The FY 2027 program also encourages alignment with the United States’ Semiquincentennial celebrations, offering an opportunity to integrate thematic programming that reflects America's 250th anniversary.

Proposals should show alignment with U.S. foreign policy, demonstrate M&E capacity using the MODE Framework, and ensure cost-effectiveness.