Application Deadline: November 30th, 2025.
Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program. To equip and empower more leaders in global health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers a transformational 1-year fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals from low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health.
The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories. To date, fellows have come from 18 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy. You can learn more about our current and past fellows below.
Program Details
The year-long LEAD Fellowship program runs from September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027. Beginning in the fall semester, fellows will engage virtually in the fellowship program to plan their unique personal growth and leadership plan, in part through 1:1 executive leadership coaching. Deliverables for this part of the fellowship will also include academic credentialing, obtaining a J-1 visa for travel, registering/planning for their spring semester course/s, and may include participation in virtual events and mentorship meetings.
Please note, Fellows are not expected to be removed from work responsibilities during the fall semester and program engagement during this time is light.
Eligibility Requirements
- The program welcome applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, genders, and gender identities. Candidates nominate themselves by submitting an application for the fellowship.
- Applicants must have a minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Applicants must work full-time in the field of global health and have at least 10 years of professional experience. Work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience.
- Applicants must have the full support of their employer and a champion in their organization who serves as a reference.
- Applicants must take a leave of absence (or equivalent) from their home institution during their in-residence experience for 6 weeks in April 2027.
- Applicants must be able to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States and must be able to reside in Boston, MA. NOTE: Visa fees, housing, and flights will be covered under the fellowship and a living stipend will be provided for the weeks in residence.
- During the two years prior to arrival at Harvard, the fellows should not have participated in a full-time fellowship that lasted 4 months or longer.
Benefits
- Visa fees, housing, and flights will be covered by the fellowship and a living stipend will be provided for the time in the United States.
Application Requirements
- CV/Resume
- A Letter of Intent (no more than 1.5 pages in length) The letter of intent should describe your professional journey in global health and why/how the LEAD fellowship would be transformative for your organization and your country.
- Four essays (no more than 2000 characters each)
- Essay 1: Plan for Career Development/Training Activities
- Essay 2: Project Plan
- Essay 3: Candidate’s Plan to Provide Mentoring
- Essay 4: Fellowship Impact on Candidate’s Organization, Field, and Home Country
- A Letter of Institutional Commitment from their home institution that supports their proposal to join the fellowship program. It is also essential to document the institution’s commitment to allow the candidate a leave of absence during April to focus exclusively on the LEAD fellowship curriculum activities in residence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- A Letter of Mentor Commitment from someone within your organization or network that is a champion of your professional development.
- Two additional letters of reference. At least one reference must be from your current/most recent professional engagement and must be different from the Letter of Mentor Commitment.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program.
