Applications are now open for the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) LEAD Fellowship Program 2027/2028, a fully funded, one-year fellowship designed to advance leadership skills among individuals from low- and middle-income countries, with applications closing on November 15, 2026.
Offered by HGHI in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health supports the continued development of leaders in the global health field.
How the Fellowship Year Works
The 2027/2028 programme blends distance and immersion. Fellows spend the year in a 12-month virtual curriculum, then converge on Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a six-week in-person experience in Spring 2028.
Throughout the fellowship year, participants engage in one-on-one leadership coaching, mentorship, an executive education course, speaking events, private leadership masterclasses led by Harvard faculty, and networking opportunities.
Built Around Each Fellow
What sets LEAD apart is its customisation. Fellows are given the autonomy to build their own leadership development curriculum around their specific interests, goals, and areas for growth, rather than fitting into a fixed template.
Participants are connected to world-class faculty and senior mentors whose instruction and guidance align with their individual goals. They also take part in tailored leadership training as a cohort, with further opportunities for speaking, networking, and independent project work.
Each graduating class leaves having built a network of peers and mentors across Harvard University, with the fellowship experience deliberately designed to give global health leaders time to reflect, connect, and explore uncharted territories.
Who Can Apply?
Candidates nominate themselves by applying directly for the fellowship. The eligibility requirements are:
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Full-time work in the field of global health, with at least 10 years of professional experience beyond their education. University student work does not count as professional experience
- Ability to take a leave of absence, or equivalent, from their home institution during the six-week in-residence experience in April 2028
- Eligibility to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States in April 2028, with availability to reside in Cambridge, MA, for six weeks
- No participation in any full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer in the two years prior to the Harvard fellowship
- Substantial leadership experience, with demonstrated further leadership potential
What the Fellowship Covers
The package is fully funded. The fellowship covers visa fees, housing, and flights, and provides a living stipend for the duration of the six-week stay in the United States.
That coverage, combined with access to Harvard faculty, executive education, and a year of structured leadership development, positions the LEAD Fellowship among the most significant fully funded opportunities for mid-career global health leaders.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program 2027/2028 is November 15, 2026. Prospective applicants should review the full requirements and application details on the official programme webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the LEAD Fellowship for?
It is a one-year Harvard fellowship for promoting women in global health, designed for individuals from low- and middle-income countries with substantial leadership experience in the field.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Applicants need a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field, full-time global health work with at least 10 years of professional experience beyond education, eligibility for a J-1 visa, availability for the six-week April 2028 residency, and no full-time fellowship of four months or longer in the prior two years.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes. Visa fees, housing, and flights are covered by the fellowship, and a living stipend is provided for the time in the United States.
What is the structure of the programme?
A 12-month virtual curriculum combined with a six-week in-person experience in Cambridge, MA, in Spring 2028, featuring leadership coaching, mentorship, an executive education course, masterclasses, and networking.
Do I need to take leave from my job?
Yes. Applicants must take a leave of absence, or equivalent, from their home institution for the six-week in-residence experience in April 2028.
Can I apply if I recently completed another fellowship?
No. Candidates may not have participated in any full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer in the two years prior to their Harvard fellowship.
How do I apply?
Candidates nominate themselves by applying directly for the fellowship, with applications due by November 15, 2026. Full application details are available on the official programme webpage.
