The Harvard LEAD Fellowship is a prestigious, fully funded leadership development program designed for experienced global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Jointly offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this fellowship provides a transformative one-year experience that combines academic learning, leadership training, and professional mentorship.
Running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, the fellowship includes both virtual and in-person components. Participants begin their journey with online learning and personalized coaching before attending a residential session at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the spring of 2027. The program is designed to empower emerging leaders to drive positive change in health systems and promote equity and inclusion across the global health landscape.
Program Objectives
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship aims to strengthen the leadership capacity of professionals working in global health, particularly women and underrepresented individuals. It helps fellows develop the strategic, managerial, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead effectively in complex health environments. The program’s primary goals include enhancing leadership competence, building sustainable professional networks, and supporting fellows as they return home to implement impactful initiatives that improve health outcomes in their communities.
By fostering collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, the fellowship creates a global network of skilled leaders dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing systemic challenges in global health governance.
Program Structure and Benefits
The fellowship is structured around three key phases:
- Virtual Phase (Fall 2026): Fellows begin with one-on-one executive coaching, leadership planning sessions, and mentorship. They engage in online seminars and collaborative activities that prepare them for the in-person segment.
- In-Person Phase (Spring 2027): Participants spend four to six weeks at Harvard University, where they take part in intensive leadership workshops, networking events, and executive education courses. This phase emphasizes topics such as strategic communication, negotiation, crisis management, and public speaking.
- Implementation Phase (Post-Residence): After returning to their home institutions, fellows apply their new skills through leadership projects, mentorship programs, and institutional initiatives designed to advance health systems in their countries.
The fellowship covers all major expenses, including tuition, housing, airfare, visa fees, and a living stipend during the residential period. Participants also gain access to Harvard’s extensive academic resources, individualized coaching sessions, and lifelong membership in a dynamic alumni community of global health professionals.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
- Have a minimum of ten years of professional experience in global health or a related discipline.
- Currently work full-time in an LMIC and demonstrate a strong commitment to returning to their home country after the fellowship.
- Be eligible for a J-1 visa to participate in the in-person program in the United States.
- Have not participated in another full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer within the past two years.
Ideal candidates are mid-career professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential, a commitment to improving health equity, and a clear vision for how the fellowship will enhance their capacity to lead impactful change.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of intent outlining their career goals and leadership aspirations, and four short essays that describe their proposed leadership project, mentorship strategy, and expected impact. They must also provide a letter of institutional support from their current employer, a mentor commitment letter, and two professional references.
All application materials must be submitted by November 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Why Apply
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to join a distinguished network of global health leaders. Fellows receive world-class mentoring, practical leadership training, and the chance to engage directly with experts shaping global health policy. Upon completion, participants return to their home countries empowered to drive institutional reforms, mentor emerging leaders, and champion gender equity and inclusion within their health systems.
Through this transformative experience, fellows gain not only academic and professional growth but also the confidence and influence needed to lead the next generation of change-makers in global health.
