The Humphrey Fellowship connects Sri Lankans with Americans for a ten-month non-degree program of graduate level academic coursework and practical professional experiences. Some awards also offer English training to facilitate the participation of applicants who may be excellent candidates but lack the necessary language skills. Candidates must be committed to public service that enhances Sri Lanka upon their return. For general information on the program, please see the Institute of International Education’s Humphrey Fellowship website.

This award lasts six (6) weeks total in either Spring (January-March) or Fall (September-November). Exact dates are determined by host universities in the U.S. in collaboration with IREX. You will be notified of exact dates if you are selected.

• Pre-departure orientation program in Colombo
• Monthly living stipend while in the U.S.
• Round-trip economy class air travel from Sri Lanka to the host organization in the U.S.
• Health insurance
• Fulbright enrichment activities
• Immigration advising and immigration sponsorship support

The Fulbright program does not provide any financial support for accompanying dependents.

To apply, you must:

1. Be a Sri Lankan citizen.
2. Have continuously resided in Sri Lanka for a minimum of 2 years immediately prior to the award application deadline.
3. Demonstrate aptitude and accomplishment in your academic, artistic or professional field thorough awards received, achievements and output.
4. Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in your field.
5. Have at least five years of full-time professional experience beyond attainment of a first university/undergraduate degree, and prior to October 2025.
6. Demonstrate commitment to sharing knowledge with counterparts and the public in Sri Lanka
7. Not be applying for or holding permanent resident visa (Green Card) in the United States, not be dual U.S.-Sri Lanka citizen, and not hold work or resident visa in another country.
8. Provide evidence that leave will be granted for the fellowship period, if selected.
9. Reside in Sri Lanka for a minimum of 2 years following the completion of the grant.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in the English language and superior communication skills.
11. Maintain a commitment to foster understanding and peace between the people of the U.S. and people of Sri Lanka.
12. Be a mid-career professional in a leadership position with a commitment to public service and to the development of Sri Lanka.
13. Be employed in either the public or private sector.
14. Demonstrate strong professional leadership potential.

You are not eligible if you:

1. Are staff or family of staff at a U.S. Embassy or US-SLFC.
2. Engage in misrepresentation, false information, or plagiarism of any kind during the application or grant period, which is grounds for selection withdrawal or immediate grant termination.
3. Have attended a graduate school in the United States for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2025
4. Had more than six months of U.S. experience during the five years prior to August 2025.
5. Have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs within the last three years prior to August 2025.

While not mandatory, priority will be given to candidates that:

1. Have very few or preferably no previous opportunities to travel to the U.S.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to return to Sri Lanka to live and work for at least 5 years after the conclusion of the program.
3. Demonstrate the ability to function well in the U.S.
4. Are comfortable with international travel and prepared to be a good representative for Sri Lanka.

The Humphrey Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of professionals who will make contributions to their communities as well as their professional fields. Humphrey Fellowship nominees should:

• be individuals working in either the public or private sector with demonstrated leadership ability and a demonstrated commitment to public service;

• be at a point in their careers to fully benefit from this professional development program;

• understand that the program is non-degree granting;

• be aware that they cannot transfer to degree status in any program, and therefore will not be able to become degree candidates after arriving in the United States; and

• realize that they have a commitment to return home after the Fellowship for at least two years to use the skills and knowledge they have acquired to assist their communities and their country.

This award period is 10 months. To learn more about and apply for the Humphrey Fellowship, please see this website from our partners at IIE: apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey. You must register on this website to access information and apply.

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Due to the large volume of applications for this award, US-SLFC is unable to acknowledge receipt of applications, and only candidates shortlisted for interviews will be notified.

For questions, write to: inquiries@fulbrightsrilanka.org