Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2027–2028: Fully Funded Leadership Opportunity for Women in Global Health

If you are a senior global health professional in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC), this one is worth your attention. The Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) has opened applications for the 2027–2028 Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health.

What is the LEAD Fellowship?

LEAD is a one-year leadership fellowship offered by HGHI with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It is designed to build the leadership skills of professionals from LMICs, who are then expected to mentor future women leaders in global health.

HGHI's director of fellowships, Dr. Bethany-Rose Daubman, describes it as a personalized, fully funded alternative with mentorship and coaching at the center. Its aim is to give emerging leaders time to step back from demanding roles to reflect, recalibrate and explore new directions. (harvard)

Program structure

•Duration: September 1, 2027 to August 31, 2028 (harvard)

•Format: A 12-month virtual curriculum with a six-week in-person experience in Spring 2028 (harvard)

•Work leave: Fellows are only required to take leave during their time in residence on campus, expected in April 2028 for 6 weeks. The fall virtual phase is light and does not require time away from work. (harvard)

What fellows receive

-One-on-one executive leadership coaching

-Mentorship from Harvard faculty (past mentors have included Dr. Rifat Atun, Dr. Margaret Kruk and Dr. Ana Langer)

-An executive education course on campus. In the past this has been the Harvard Kennedy School's Women and Power course.

-Private masterclasses with Harvard faculty on negotiation, public speaking, crisis leadership, conflict resolution and navigating bias as a woman leader

-Speaking opportunities at global health events

-A network of peers and mentors across Harvard

-Funding: The in-residence month is covered by the fellowship award, and fellows get a stipend for housing, flights, course fees and daily per diem. Visa fees, housing and flights are covered. (harvard)

Who can apply?

The fellowship welcomes applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, genders and gender identities, though its focus is on advancing women's leadership. You must: (harvard)

-Hold at least a master's degree in a relevant field

-Work full-time in global health with at least 10 years of professional experience (work done as a university student doesn't count)

-Be based in an LMIC and plan to return there after the fellowship

-Have your employer's full support, plus a champion in your organization who serves as a reference

-Be able to take leave in April 2028 for the six-week residency

-Be able to obtain a J-1 visa and live in Boston, MA during the residency

-Not have done a full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer in the two years before arriving at Harvard

What you need to submit

-CV/Resume

-Letter of Intent (max 1.5 pages) on your global health journey and how LEAD would transform your organization and country

-Four essays (max 2,000 characters each): career development plan, project plan, mentoring plan, and fellowship impact on your organization, field and home country

-Letter of Institutional Commitment, which must confirm your leave in April

-Letter of Mentor Commitment from a champion in your organization or network

-Two additional reference letters, at least one from your current or most recent professional engagement and different from your mentor letter

Deadline

Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

That is 5:59 AM on Monday, November 16 in Nigeria (WAT), so treat Sunday, November 15 as your real deadline. Your institutional commitment letter and references take time, so ask for them now.

How to apply

👉 Official program page and requirements: Havard LEAD Fellowship

👉 Application portal: Apply Here

If the portal link doesn't open, use the "Apply" button on the official page.

Tips for a strong application

-Make your Letter of Intent specific about the impact you will have back home.

-Have a clear plan for mentoring other women, since this is central to the fellowship.

-Talk to your employer early, as the April leave is non-negotiable.

-Show that you are mid-to-senior level with real leadership experience.

-The fellowship has so far welcomed a small, close-knit group of women from over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia. Share this with a woman leader in your network who should apply.