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The Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2027/28 is fully funded. It covers your return flights to the United States, your J-1 visa fees, your housing, and a living stipend for a six-week in-person program at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The fellowship runs for 12 months in total.
It is run by the Harvard Global Health Institute with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This is a fellowship for experienced global health professionals, especially those from low- and middle-income countries, who want to grow as leaders. It focuses on advancing women’s leadership in global health, and the organisers say they welcome applicants of all gender identities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States |
| Host institution | Harvard Global Health Institute, Harvard University |
| Fellowship | Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health |
| Level | Mid-career and senior global health professionals |
| Duration | 12 months, including a 6-week in-person stay at Harvard |
| Program period | 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028 |
| Funding | Fully funded: return airfare, J-1 visa fees, accommodation, living stipend for the in-person weeks |
| Who can apply | Global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries with at least 10 years of experience and a Master’s degree |
| Application fee | None stated |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026 |
What is the Harvard LEAD Fellowship?
LEAD is a leadership program for people already working in global health. Over 12 months you follow a virtual curriculum, then come to Harvard for six weeks in person to learn alongside the other fellows and the faculty.
The goal is to build the leadership skills of professionals who are set to run programs, teams, and institutions, with a focus on bringing more women into senior global health roles. You stay in your job and your country for most of the year, and travel to Cambridge for the in-person block in spring 2028.
What you get
The fellowship pays for the in-person six weeks at Harvard. Selected fellows receive:
- Return airfare to and from the United States
- Support for the J-1 visa fees
- Accommodation during the in-person weeks in Cambridge
- A living stipend for daily costs during the stay
- The full LEAD curriculum and the Harvard faculty who teach it
So the cost of travelling to Harvard and living there for the program is covered. Confirm the exact terms on the official page when you apply.
Who can apply
- You work full-time in global health.
- You have at least 10 years of professional experience, counted after you finished your education. University study does not count toward this.
- You hold at least a Master’s degree in a field related to global health.
- You have real leadership experience in your work.
- You are from a low- or middle-income country.
- You can get a J-1 visa and live in Cambridge for the six-week in-person block.
This is a senior-level fellowship, so it fits people well into their careers. If you are a student or early in your career, this one is not for you yet, but we post fully funded master’s scholarships and early-career fellowships every week, so look through those and keep building toward a fellowship like this.
Is it only for women?
The fellowship is named for promoting women in global health, and that is its focus. At the same time, the eligibility text says the organisers welcome applicants from all gender identities. So read the official criteria and apply if your profile fits the experience and background they ask for.
Is there an age limit?
There is no stated age limit. What matters is the experience: at least 10 years working in global health after your education, plus a Master’s degree and leadership experience.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
The program is taught in English, so you need to be comfortable working and leading in English. The page does not list a fixed test requirement, so check the official criteria for what proof, if any, applies to you.
Do I need 10 years of experience exactly?
The fellowship asks for at least 10 years of professional experience beyond your education. If you are close but not quite there, read the official criteria carefully before you apply, and in the meantime look at the other fellowships we post that take mid-career and early-career applicants.
Required documents
- Your CV or resume showing your global health experience
- Proof of your Master’s degree
- A personal statement or essays as listed by the program
- Recommendation or reference letters
- Any leadership or employment evidence the application asks for
Build your final list from the official Harvard LEAD application page, because the requirements can change.
How to write your application
Lead with your work. Show what you have actually done in global health, the teams or programs you have led, and the change you want to drive next. Be concrete: name the problem you work on, the results you have seen, and why Harvard LEAD is the right step now. One honest, specific account of your leadership beats a page of general statements. Write it in your own voice and read it aloud before you send it.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official Harvard LEAD Fellowship application page and read the full criteria.
- Check that you meet the experience, degree, and country requirements.
- Prepare your CV, personal statement, and reference letters.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload your documents and review everything for accuracy.
- Submit before the deadline and keep a copy of your application.
Selection process
Harvard reviews each application against the experience and leadership criteria, then selects the fellows for the cohort. Because the program is small and senior, a clear record of leadership in global health matters most. Expect the review to take time after the deadline closes.
Deadline
15 November 2026.
The fellowship year runs from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028, with the six-week in-person block at Harvard in spring 2028. Confirm the exact deadline on the official page before you apply, since one Harvard page also mentioned 8 November, so check the current date and give yourself time to prepare your references.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help. If you have applied to something like this before, tell us how it went, it helps the next reader.
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