Harvard LEAD Fellowship – 6-week residency for Promoting Women in Global Health 2027-2028

Are you a mid-career professional passionate about driving innovative health solutions in low- and middle-income countries? Do you want to build your executive leadership skills at one of the world’s most respected institutions while receiving a full stipend for your time on campus? The Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health is now accepting applications for its 2027–2028 cohort—and it may be exactly what you are looking for.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this one-year transformational program empowers leaders from low- and middle-income countries to mentor future generations. To date, 26 fellows from 21 countries have participated, bringing expertise in areas ranging from HIV/AIDS to national health policy. During the spring semester, fellows engage in a 6-week intensive residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

If you meet the 10-year professional experience requirement, read on to discover the specific eligibility criteria, financial benefits, and how to submit a strong application before the November 15, 2026 deadline.

Quick Overview

Provider	Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI)
Location	Cambridge, MA, USA (Virtual + 6-week residency)
Program Type	Fellowship
Funding	Fully Funded (for residency duration)
Open To	Nationals of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
Deadline	15 November 2026

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Curriculum Components

The Harvard LEAD fellowship is a highly personalized program designed to empower emerging leaders. The core pillars of the fellowship include:

• Executive Leadership Training: 1:1 sessions with a personal executive coach and the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI) 360 assessment.
• 1:1 Mentorship: Regular meetings with matched Harvard faculty members to formalize career advising and spark collaboration.
• Executive Education Course: Enrollment in a core course (such as Women and Power) at the Harvard Kennedy School during the in-person residency.
• Private Masterclasses: Small, interactive sessions led by Harvard faculty on topics like negotiation, crisis management, self-promotion, and conflict resolution.
• Speaking Opportunities: Showcasing your work through panels and global health events at the university.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are male applicants eligible to apply?

Yes. While the fellowship is named “Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health”, the official basic qualifications state that they welcome applicants of all genders and gender identities.

What does the 6-week residency entail?

In April 2028, fellows travel to Cambridge, MA for 6 weeks. You must take a leave of absence from your job during this period. You will participate in an executive education course, attend masterclasses, and engage in mentorship. Flights, housing, and a daily living stipend are fully provided.

Does my previous work as a graduate student count towards the 10 years of experience?

No. The fellowship explicitly requires at least 10 years of full-time professional experience in global health that was completed beyond your education.

When preparing your application, you will need to gather the following documents and submit them through the Reviewr portal:

CV/Resume: Highlighting your 10+ years of professional experience.

Letter of Intent: Maximum 1.5 pages describing your professional journey and how the fellowship would transform your organization and country.

Four Essays: Maximum 2,000 characters each on career development, project plan, mentoring plan, and fellowship impact.

Letter of Institutional Commitment: From your home institution permitting your 6-week leave of absence.

Letter of Mentor Commitment: From a champion of your professional development.

Two Reference Letters: At least one must be from your most recent professional engagement.

To be eligible for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Professional & Academic Requirements

Hold a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Work full-time in the field of global health with at least 10 years of professional experience (work completed as a university student does not count).

Must not have participated in a full-time fellowship lasting 4 months or longer in the two years prior to arriving at Harvard.

Geography & Employer Support

Be currently based and working in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), with plans to return there after the fellowship.

Have the full support of your current employer and a designated champion in your organization who serves as a reference.

Be able to officially take a 6-week leave of absence from your home institution to reside in Boston, MA in April 2028.

Visa Eligibility

Be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States.

If you are selected for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship, your 6-week residency in Cambridge, MA will be fully financially supported. The funding package includes:

Full coverage of J-1 Visa application fees.

Housing accommodations provided in Cambridge, MA.

Round-trip flights to and from the United States.

A daily living stipend (per diem) to cover food and transportation during the residency.

Full coverage of all executive education course fees and masterclass materials.

If you are interested in applying for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship, follow these steps carefully:

Visit the official application portal using the link below.

Click “Create an account” to begin your application profile.

Complete the online application form and paste your four required essays into the designated fields.

Upload your CV/Resume, Letter of Intent, and ensure your institutional and reference letters are submitted.

Review your complete application and submit it before the deadline of November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).

Apply Now →

For more information, please visit the

Harvard Global Health Institute official website.