Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2027–2028

The Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health 2027–2028 is an international leadership-development programme designed to strengthen the capabilities of experienced professionals working to improve global health.

The programme is offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The fellowship supports professionals from low- and middle-income countries who already hold significant leadership responsibilities and demonstrate the potential to create further impact within their organisations, communities and countries.

Although the programme focuses on promoting women leaders in global health, Harvard welcomes applicants of all genders and gender identities.

The year-long fellowship begins with virtual activities that allow participants to continue their professional responsibilities while developing personalised leadership goals.

Throughout the programme, fellows participate in individual executive coaching, mentorship meetings, speaking opportunities, leadership workshops and academic activities designed around their professional needs.

In April 2028, fellows will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a six-week residential experience at Harvard University. During this period, participants take part in executive education, specialised leadership workshops, mentoring and networking.

The fellowship is not a master's or PhD degree programme. It is a professional-development opportunity intended for established global health leaders seeking to strengthen their leadership skills and contribute to the development of future leaders.

Harvard's official announcement describes the programme as fully funded, with financial support for the residential component and access to its leadership-development curriculum.

Applicants must meet the following official requirements:

• Nationality and geographic reach: Harvard welcomes applicants from all continents and regions.

• Country of work: Candidates should currently be based and working in a low- or middle-income country and intend to return there following the fellowship.

• Academic qualification: Hold at least a master's degree in a relevant field.

• Professional employment: Work full-time in global health.

• Professional experience: Have at least 10 years of professional experience beyond education. Work completed as a university student does not count.

• Leadership experience: Demonstrate substantial leadership experience and potential for further development.

• Institutional support: Have full support from their employer and a professional champion who can provide a reference.

• Leave of absence: Be able to take six weeks of leave, or an equivalent arrangement, for the residential component in April 2028.

• Visa eligibility: Be able to obtain a J-1 visa to travel to the United States.

• Residential availability: Be available to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for six weeks in April 2028.

• Previous fellowships: Must not have participated in a full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer during the two years before arrival at Harvard.

• Gender: Applicants of all genders and gender identities are welcome.

Successful applicants receive:

• Fully funded fellowship: Participation in Harvard's personalised leadership-development programme.

• Executive leadership coaching: Individual coaching tailored to professional goals and leadership development.

• Harvard faculty mentorship: Access to faculty mentors with relevant professional and academic expertise.

• Executive education: Participation in an executive education course during the residential component.

• Leadership workshops: Specialised training in negotiation, public speaking, communication, decision-making and other leadership skills.

• Visa fees: Financial coverage of required J-1 visa fees.

• Accommodation: Housing support during the six-week residency in Cambridge.

• Air travel: Flights to and from Cambridge for the residential component.

• Living stipend: Financial support for living expenses during the period in the United States.

• Course fees: Coverage of relevant executive education course costs.

• Networking: Opportunities to connect with Harvard faculty, global health professionals and fellowship alumni.

• Speaking opportunities: Opportunities to participate in relevant academic and global health events.

Harvard officially requests the following application materials:

• CV/Résumé: An updated record of qualifications, professional experience and leadership achievements.

• Letter of Intent: Maximum 1.5 pages, explaining the applicant's professional journey and how the fellowship could benefit their organisation and country.

• Essay 1 — Career Development: Plan for career development and training activities.

• Essay 2 — Project Plan: Proposed project or professional-development initiative.

• Essay 3 — Mentoring Plan: Plans to mentor future leaders.

• Essay 4 — Fellowship Impact: Expected impact on the applicant's organisation, field and home country.

• Letter of Institutional Commitment: Confirmation that the employer supports the application and permits the six-week leave of absence in April 2028.

• Letter of Mentor Commitment: A letter from a professional champion supporting the applicant's development.

• Two Additional Reference Letters: At least one must come from the applicant's current or most recent professional engagement and be different from the mentor commitment letter.

Each of the four essays must not exceed 2,000 characters.

Harvard's published requirements and programme objectives indicate that applicants are evaluated for:

• Professional experience: At least 10 years of experience working beyond their education in global health.

• Leadership achievements: Substantial demonstrated leadership experience.

• Leadership potential: Ability to develop further as a leader and contribute to global health.

• Professional development: A clear plan for using the fellowship to strengthen leadership capabilities.

• Organisational impact: Potential to apply fellowship learning to the applicant's organisation and professional field.

• Mentoring commitment: A meaningful plan to mentor future leaders.

• Institutional support: Evidence of employer commitment and availability for the residential programme.

• Programme compatibility: Ability to participate in virtual activities and the six-week residency.

• Develop advanced leadership skills through a Harvard-led professional-development programme.

• Receive personalised mentorship from experienced Harvard faculty.

• Participate in executive education and specialised leadership workshops.

• Gain exposure to international perspectives on global health.

• Strengthen communication, negotiation and organisational leadership abilities.

• Build professional connections with global health leaders and fellowship alumni.

• Develop mentoring skills to support future women leaders in global health.

• Apply new perspectives and skills to health-related challenges in your home country.