Application Deadline: November 15, 2026.
Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program. The LEAD Fellowship, a one-year fellowship designed to advance leadership skills among individuals from low- and middle-income countries, is now accepting applications. 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 program supports the continued development of leaders in global health.
The 2027–2028 LEAD Fellowship program will consist of a 12-month virtual curriculum with a six-week in-person experience in Spring 2028. Throughout their fellowship year, fellows will engage in one-on-one leadership coaching, mentorship, an executive education course, speaking events, private leadership masterclasses led by Harvard faculty, and networking opportunities.
The LEAD Fellowship is highly customized to each fellow, giving participants the autonomy to build their own leadership development curriculum around their specific interests, goals, and areas for growth. Fellows are connected to world-class faculty and senior mentors who offer instruction and guidance aligned with their individual goals. They also engage in tailored leadership training as a cohort and have opportunities for speaking, networking, and independent project work.
Each year, fellows graduate from the program having built a network of peers and mentors across Harvard University. The fellowship experience specifically aims to offer global health leaders time to reflect, connect, and explore uncharted territories.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates nominate themselves by applying 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 beyond their education. Work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience.
- Applicants must take a leave of absence (or equivalent) from their home institution during their six-week in-residence experience in April 2028.
- Applicants must be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States in April 2028 and must be available to reside in Cambridge, MA, for six weeks. 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.
- In the two years prior to their fellowship at Harvard, candidates may not have participated in any full-time fellowship that lasted four months or longer.
- Applicants must have substantial leadership experience and demonstrate further leadership potential.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program
