Harvard’s LEAD Fellowship is a transformative global health leadership program. Offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) and T.H. Chan School of Public Health, it empowers mid-career professionals (especially those from low- and middle-income countries) to enhance their leadership skills and mentor future female leaders in global health. Fellows join a diverse network – past cohorts include participants from over 18 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Americas. This fully funded, one-year fellowship covers travel, housing, visa fees, and a living stipend, letting you focus on executive training, Harvard courses, and mentoring opportunities. Harvard Global Health Institute Fellowships offer a range of similar professional development and global opportunity programs at Harvard.
Fellowship Overview
The Harvard University LEAD Fellowship 2026-27 is a one-year (September 2026 – August 2027) leadership fellowship hosted at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA). It’s run jointly by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Department of Global Health and Population (T.H. Chan School). The program is designed to “equip and empower more leaders in global health” by building executive skills and a global network.
Fellows spend the fall semester engaging virtually in leadership planning and coaching, then spend 6 weeks on campus (April 2027) at Harvard for intensive executive education courses, workshops, and mentorship. During this in-person period, all program and living costs (flights, housing, daily stipend, course fees, etc.) are fully covered. In short, the LEAD fellowship is a fully funded global leadership program based in the USA (Cambridge, MA), aimed at developing professional skills for senior global health leaders.
Fellowship Details
- Country: USA (Cambridge, Massachusetts).
- Host Organization: Harvard University (Harvard Global Health Institute and T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
- Duration: 1 year (Sept. 2026 – Aug. 2027). Includes virtual work in Fall 2026 and a 6-week in-person residency in Spring 2027.
- Funding/Type: Fully funded leadership fellowship. All travel (international airfare, visa fees), on-campus housing, meals, course tuition, and a per diem stipend are provided. This is a global professional development opportunity, not a degree program.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet these requirements:
- Education: Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Experience: At least 10 years of full-time professional experience in global health or public health (post-graduation).
- Current Role: Applicants should be currently employed full-time in global health (research, policy, advocacy, administration, etc.) with a demonstrated leadership track record.
- Employer Support: Your home organization must endorse your application. You need a letter of institutional commitment and a letter from an internal mentor (“champion”) willing to support your development.
- Leave of Absence: You must be able to take ~6 weeks off from work (April 2027) for the residency in Boston.
- Visa Eligibility: Able to obtain a J-1 visa and reside in Cambridge, MA for the residency. (Visa fees are covered by the fellowship.)
- Location: Designed for leaders based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who intend to return home after the fellowship. Applicants from all countries/genders/disciplines are welcome, but the program particularly targets professionals committed to mentoring future female global health leaders.
Benefits & Funding
This fellowship offers extensive benefits:
- Fully Funded: 100% of major expenses are covered. This includes round-trip airfare, visa fees, Harvard housing/accommodations, daily meals allowance, course fees, and a living stipend for the residency period. (No tuition or housing costs for fellows.)
- Executive Leadership Training: Fellows receive personalized 1:1 coaching and work with executive leadership experts to hone their management style and strategic skills. The curriculum includes negotiation, public speaking, decision-making, and other masterclasses taught by Harvard faculty and global health leaders.
- Harvard Executive Education Course: While in Cambridge, you take a Harvard course (e.g. a Women & Power course at HKS) to deepen your skills.
- 1:1 Faculty Mentorship: Each fellow is paired with a Harvard professor or senior practitioner for monthly mentorship throughout the year. Mentors (from areas like health policy, economics, medicine) provide career advice, expand networks, and spark collaborations.
- Networking & Exposure: You join a global cohort of peers and alumni. Fellows participate in leadership workshops and have opportunities to speak at international conferences and Harvard events. This exposure builds your professional profile.
- Global Impact: Beyond personal development, the program emphasizes creating impact. You will craft a project plan and a mentoring plan to improve your organization or country’s health sector, and later train the next generation of leaders (especially women) upon return.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Check Eligibility & Prepare: Review the criteria above. Note the deadline (Nov 30, 2025). Begin gathering documents early (CV, letters, essays).
- Start Online Application: Visit the official Harvard LEAD Fellowship portal (application opens on the HGHI site). Create an account to begin the application.
- Complete Form & Attach Documents: Upload your CV/Resume and a 1–1.5 page letter of intent describing your career journey and how the fellowship will benefit you and your country. Answer four short essay prompts about your training plan, project plan, mentoring plan, and intended impact.
- Submit Required Letters: Upload a Letter of Institutional Commitment (from your employer) and a Letter of Mentor Commitment (from a senior colleague), plus two additional reference letters. One reference should be from your current supervisor.
- Review & Submit Before Deadline: Carefully review your application. Submit all materials by Nov 30, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). (Incomplete applications will not be considered.)
Application Deadline
Deadline: Sunday, November 30, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). This date is firm, so plan ahead to avoid last-minute issues. Late submissions are not accepted.
Tips for Applicants
- Start Early: The application is detailed. Begin writing essays and requesting letters months in advance.
- Highlight Leadership: Use concrete examples of your leadership impact and future vision in global health. Show how the fellowship will help you enact change in your organization or country.
- Emphasize Impact on Women: Since the fellowship promotes female leadership, explain how you will mentor or empower women in global health.
- Get Strong References: Secure endorsements from senior colleagues who know your work. A compelling institutional support letter can make a big difference.
- Be Authentic: Write clearly and genuinely about your goals. Harvard reviewers look for passion, clarity of purpose, and commitment to your field.
- Network & Research: Learn about past fellows (see [HGHI Fellowships] success stories) and tailor your application to the fellowship’s mission.
Conclusion
The Harvard University LEAD Fellowship 2026-27 is a rare chance to boost your leadership skills, gain Harvard credentials, and join a global network of change-makers. This fully funded professional development program can accelerate your career and multiply your impact in global health. Don’t miss this global leadership opportunity – carefully prepare your application, and encourage qualified colleagues to apply too. By investing in your growth, you can drive real change in your community.
Apply now for the Harvard University LEAD Fellowship 2026-27 and take the first step toward becoming a global changemaker!
FAQs
- What is the Harvard University LEAD Fellowship?
It’s a fully funded 1-year leadership fellowship by Harvard’s Global Health Institute for global health professionals (especially from LMICs) to advance leadership skills. - Who is eligible for the LEAD Fellowship?
Mid-career health professionals with a Master’s degree and ≥10 years of full-time global health experience. Applicants need employer support and must plan to attend a 6-week residency in Cambridge, MA. - What are the key benefits of the fellowship?
Fellows receive executive coaching and Harvard executive education courses, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and international networking. All travel, housing, visa fees, and a stipend are covered. - How do I apply for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship?
Apply online via the official HGHI application portal. Prepare your CV, letter of intent, essays, and support letters, then submit the form with attachments before Nov 30, 2025. - Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The program covers airfare, visa costs, Harvard housing, daily expenses, and course fees during the 6-week residency. Fellows also receive executive training and mentorship as part of the award. - When is the application deadline?
All materials must be submitted by November 30, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
