Press Release

2009/2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the American Embassy invites applications for the 2009/2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.  The Fellowships, named after the late American Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey, who was well known for his dedication to the needs of developing nations, allow Jamaican professionals and administrators an opportunity to spend one year at an American university to enhance their professional competence.

The Humphrey Program is a Fulbright program that brings accomplished mid-career professionals to the United States for a year of study and related practical professional experiences.  Fellows are nominated by the Office of Public Affairs in Kingston based on their potential for national leadership.  By providing these future leaders and policymakers with a shared experience of U.S. society and culture and current U.S. approaches to the fields in which they work, the program intends to provide a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts in other countries.  Thus the Humphrey Program fosters an exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding through which the U.S. joins in a significant partnership with developing countries.  This program is not designed to lead to a degree. Rather, Fellows pursue tailored study programs at participating U.S. institutions.  There is no provision for Fellows to request a particular university for placement.  Applicants should not assume that they could become degree candidates after they arrive in the U.S.
 
Fellowships are granted competitively to professional candidates with a commitment to public service in both the public and private sectors, specifically in the following fields:

Communications/journalism
HIV/AIDS policy and prevention
Trafficking in persons, prevention and policy
Natural resources and environmental management
Public policy analysis and public administration
Economic development/finance and banking
Agricultural development/agricultural economics
Human resource management
Law and human rights
Urban and regional planning
Public health policy and management
Technology policy and management
Educational administration, planning and policy

An additional substance abuse component in the field of public health policy and management emphasizes drug education, treatment, and prevention (a candidate in this field must either have a research background in the field or demonstrate an ability to learn to understand the results and policy implications of current research).

Prospective Fellows should be policy rather than research oriented, with a minimum professional experience of five years, and should be between the ages of 35 and 45.  Preference will be given to applicants who have not lived, studied, or worked overseas within the last five years. 

To receive an application form electronically or if you require clarification on anything related to this program, please contact Mrs. Angella Harvey, the Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Specialist, by telephone at 702-6113 or 383-0753, by e-mail at harveyae@state.gov, or by fax at 702-6348.  Completed application forms, along with supporting documents, must be submitted in hardcopy to Mrs. Harvey, U.S. Embassy, 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 by July 18th.

Public Affairs Section (PAS) deadline for receipt of applications:
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008   

Interviews of pre-screened candidates will be held in PAS on
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2008