Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026–2027 for Emerging Global Health Leaders from Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The Harvard Global Health Institute, in partnership with the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, invites applications for the 2026–2027 LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health. This one-year fellowship supports emerging leaders from low- and middle-income countries who are driving change in global health and committed to mentoring future female leaders.
Fellows spend time in residence at Harvard, engaging in executive leadership training, mentorship, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen their capacity to lead at national and international levels.
With access to world-class faculty, tailored coaching, and global exposure, the program equips fellows to return to their countries ready to shape health policy, research, and practice in transformative ways.
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.
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are NOW OPEN! All application materials are due by 11:59PM EST, Sunday, November 30th, 2025.
Curriculum Components
A Harvard LEAD fellowship is a transformative experience designed to empower and promote emerging leaders in global health. A highly personalized program, the fellowship is tailored to fit the unique goals and aspirations of each of our fellows. While in residence, fellows will have access to world-class faculty, classes, and executive education programs that will encourage and challenge them in new, inspiring ways. The curriculum includes:
Executive Leadership Training
LEAD Fellows work with an executive coach to maximize the program curriculum. Through the 1:1 coaching sessions, LEAD Fellows will understand their leadership style, integrate their learnings from Harvard course work, and help to develop more effective leadership skills and approaches. The coaching includes individual and group meetings with all Fellows to review and align on timeline, objectives, assessment process, etc. TypeCoach leadership style assessment Implementation and individual debriefs of the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI) 360 representing a cross-section of stakeholders. Coaching sessions take place virtually during the first few months of the fellows and resume after classes are complete to assist in re-entry, integration of material, and eventually the program close-out.
Mentorship
Each fellow will be introduced to Harvard faculty mentors with aligned interests. Fellows are encouraged to meet monthly with their mentors throughout the 12-month fellowship period. These meetings will serve as an opportunity for fellows to receive formal career advising, expand their networks and spark collaboration opportunities. Mentors that have been assigned to the previous cohorts of LEAD fellows have included Dr. Ana Langer, Dr. Rifat Atun, Dr. Kathryn Rexrode, Dr. Megan Murray, Dr. Adeline Boatin, Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Dr. Margaret Kruk and Professor Alicia Yamin.
Speaking Opportunities
Fellows will have the opportunity to speak at global health events throughout the fellowship period and beyond. In previous years, fellows have served as panelists, speakers, topic experts and directed and organized in executing LEAD fellowship events. Speaking opportunities will allow the fellow to build networks, showcase their work and enhance their public speaking skills as a leader.
An Executive Education Course
As a core course, LEAD Fellows will participate in an executive education course during their time in-person in Cambridge, MA. In the past, Fellows have participated in the Women and Power course offered by the Harvard Kennedy School.
Private Leadership Masterclasses led by Harvard Faculty on various leadership topics (negotiation, public speaking, communication, decision-making)
Fellows will attend leadership masterclasses exclusively designed for the LEAD fellows. These small, highly interactive sessions address key leadership skills and are led by experts from Harvard and the global health community. In previous years, the workshop program covered topics including:
- Self Promotion.
- Public Speaking and Effective Communication.
- Negotiation.
- Crisis Management and Leadership.
- Writing and Analysis for Persuasive Communication.
- Navigating Bias and Designing Equitable Organizations as a Women Leader.
- Leadership Decision Making.
- Conflict Resolution.
Eligibility Requirements
- We 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant field, work full-time in global health, and have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience. They must also be from a low- or middle-income country and able to take a six-week leave of absence in April 2027 for the in-residence program at Harvard.
2. What kind of candidates is the fellowship looking for?
Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026–2027 for Emerging Global Health Leaders program seeks professionals with a strong record of leadership in global health who are passionate about mentoring women and advancing gender equity in the sector. Candidates should demonstrate the potential to create impact in their home institutions and countries.
3. What expenses are covered under the fellowship?
The fellowship covers visa fees, housing, flights, and provides a living stipend for the duration of the six-week in-residence period in Boston, Massachusetts.
4. What is included in the fellowship curriculum?
The curriculum includes executive leadership training with professional coaching, mentorship by Harvard faculty, participation in an executive education course, and leadership masterclasses on negotiation, communication, and decision-making. Fellows also have opportunities for public speaking and networking at global health events.
5. Can I apply if I recently completed another fellowship?
Applicants should not have participated in a full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer in the two years prior to arriving at Harvard.
6. How long is the fellowship and what is the structure?
The fellowship lasts for one year, with most activities conducted virtually and a six-week in-person component in April 2027. The structure allows fellows to balance their ongoing work commitments while participating in the program.
7. What documents are required for the application?
You must submit a CV, a letter of intent, four short essays, a letter of institutional commitment, a letter of mentor commitment, and two additional references.
8. What is the application deadline?
All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
9. What happens after submission?
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional information or interviews before final selection.
10. How can I learn more about the fellowship or ask questions?
You can visit the Harvard Global Health Institute’s website for full program details or contact the fellowship team through the email address provided in the application announcement.
For more information: visit the website for Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026–2027 for Emerging Global Health Leaders
