Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was established in 1978 to honor the late senator and vice president Hubert H. Humphrey for his lifelong commitment to international cooperation and public service. This specialized non-degree program provides professionals from countries with developing and emerging economies an opportunity to enhance their leadership capacity.

The Fulbright exchange activity provides intensive training across an academic year. Cornell is one of 13 Humphrey Program campuses. Primary funding is provided by the U.S. Congress through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) 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 ECA in administering the Humphrey Fellowship Program.

At Cornell, we focus on three, often overlapping, areas of interest: agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. The Fellows not only strengthen their knowledge and skills through an academic year of Cornell coursework, internships, seminars and more — they also collaborate on projects with faculty and students and, primarily through their 6-week professional affiliations, with public and private organizations around the USA.

Our Fellows enrich communities in Ithaca and beyond by sharing their personal experiences and cultures. A long-standing partnership with our associate campus Alfred State College has led to rewarding educational exchanges and exciting collaborative projects. Our Friendship Partners continue to multiply the effectiveness of the Program well beyond professional development. They provide the opportunity for Fellows to meet American citizens, young and old, and to enter the real life of the USA. They are a great source of support as well as friendship.

 The Cornell Humphrey experience results in profound development changes back home as well as engendering trust in, and collaboration with, the USA. Our Fellows experience a transformative year that lasts long after they leave the program.