Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: November 30, 2025
The Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI), in partnership with the Women and Health Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, invites applications for the LEAD Fellowship Program 2026/2027. This prestigious fellowship is designed to empower and promote women leaders in global health, providing them with the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their global network, and advance their impact in health systems worldwide.
The LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development) Fellowship is a fully funded, one-year fellowship hosted at Harvard University, USA. It supports mid-career women professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who are already driving change in global health and are seeking to amplify their leadership influence.
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.
Benefits
- Fully funded fellowship covering tuition, travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
- Customized leadership training and professional development at Harvard University.
- Access to Harvard’s vast global health network and mentorship from world-renowned faculty.
- Opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and leadership events at Harvard’s schools and research centers.
- Dedicated time for academic exploration, research, and strategic planning to strengthen fellows’ impact upon return to their home countries.
- Ongoing alumni network engagement and global visibility as a Harvard LEAD Fellow.
SEE ALSO: FAO Headquarters (HQ) Internship Programme 2026 for Young Professionals
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026/2027, applicants must:
- 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.
Application Process and Documents Required
- 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.
