About this opportunity
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship, short for Learn, Engage, Advance, Disrupt, is a one year leadership programme for people already working in global health who are ready to take on more. 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, and the 2027 to 2028 cohort runs from September 1, 2027 to August 31, 2028.
The fellowship pairs a 12 month virtual curriculum with a six week in person experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 2028. Fellows build their own path rather than follow a fixed syllabus, shaping the year around their professional interests, their leadership goals and the areas they most want to grow in.
This round is deliberately global. The institute welcomes applicants from every continent, region, discipline, sector and gender identity, and the programme has drawn fellows from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. What it asks for is depth: a master's degree, full time work in global health and at least ten years of professional experience, plus a current base in a low or middle income country that you plan to return to.
Money is not the barrier here. The fellowship covers visa fees, housing and flights, and adds a living stipend for the weeks spent in the United States. Candidates nominate themselves, so there is no third party nomination step to wait on. A letter from your employer and a champion inside your organisation are part of the pack, which means the people around you need to know you are going.
What you receive
- One year fellowship running from September 1, 2027 to August 31, 2028
- Twelve month virtual curriculum combined with a six week residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 2028
- One on one leadership coaching tailored to the fellow
- An executive education course
- Private leadership masterclasses led by Harvard faculty
- Mentorship from senior practitioners and Harvard faculty
- Independent project work and cohort based learning
- Speaking events and networking across the fellowship year
- Visa fees, housing and flights covered
- A living stipend for the period in the United States
- Membership of a global network of current and past LEAD fellows
Who can apply
- Open to applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, genders and gender identities
- Candidates nominate themselves by submitting an application
- A minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field
- Full time work in the field of global health
- At least 10 years of professional experience, and work completed as a university student does not count
- Full support of your employer, with a champion in your organisation who serves as a reference
- Able to take a leave of absence or equivalent from your home institution for six weeks in April 2028
- Able to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States and to reside in Boston, Massachusetts for the residency
- Currently based and working in a low or middle income country, with a plan to return there after the fellowship
- During the two years prior to arrival at Harvard, you should not have participated in a full time fellowship lasting four months or longer
Who should not apply
- Applicants not currently based and working in a low or middle income country
- Candidates who cannot commit to the six week in residence period in April 2028
- Experience gained as a university student cannot be counted toward the ten year professional requirement
Documents to prepare
- CV or resume
- A Letter of Intent of no more than 1.5 pages, describing your professional journey in global health and why the LEAD fellowship would be transformative for your organisation and your country
- Four essays of no more than 2000 characters each: your plan for career development and training activities, your project plan, your plan to provide mentoring, and the fellowship's impact on your organisation, field and home country
- A Letter of Institutional Commitment from your home institution, supporting the proposal and documenting its commitment to allow a leave of absence during April
- A Letter of Mentor Commitment from someone in your organisation or network who champions your professional development
- Two additional letters of reference, with at least one from your current or most recent professional engagement and different from the Letter of Mentor Commitment
How to apply
- Read the eligibility requirements and application requirements on the Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship page
- Confirm you hold a master's degree, work full time in global health and can evidence at least 10 years of professional experience
- Ask your institution for a Letter of Institutional Commitment that also confirms a leave of absence for April 2028
- Line up your mentor commitment letter and two referees, with at least one referee from your current or most recent role
- Write your Letter of Intent and the four essays within the stated length limits
- Submit the complete application through the Harvard LEAD application portal before 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, November 15, 2026
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- SOFAR Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Health Research based in Zimbabwe
The SOFAR Postdoctoral Fellowship is a fully funded 24 month position for African postdoctoral researchers in global health, based at The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe in Harare. Fellows receive a postdoc salary, a research budget of 50,000 euros, a conference and placement budget of 6,000 euros and a training budget of 4,000 euros, plus mentorship from two research mentors. Applications close on 23 October 2026 at 17:00 Central Africa Time.
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