About this opportunity
The LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health is the Harvard Global Health Institute's leadership programme for global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries. The 2027 to 2028 cycle runs for one year, from September 2027 to August 2028, and its centre of gravity is a six week residential experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 2028.
The institute puts the support in plain terms. International flight costs, visa fees, housing and flights are covered by the fellowship, and a living stipend is provided for the period spent in the United States.
Around that core the programme adds leadership coaching, mentorship, executive education, Harvard faculty masterclasses and a community of former fellows. No individual cash award figure is published on the announcement page, so none is claimed here.
The
Eligibility
bar is deliberate, and it is a senior one. The institute asks for a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field, at least ten years of professional experience after that degree, full-time work in global health, demonstrated leadership experience and potential,
Eligibility
for a J-1 visa, availability for the six week April 2028 residency, and no full-time fellowship of four months or longer completed in the preceding two years. On geography the institute is explicit that it welcomes applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors and gender identities, while aiming the fellowship at professionals from low- and middle-income countries.
That includes applicants based in Nigeria and other African countries, which is why this sits in the Nextali catalogue.
What you receive
- A one-year fellowship running from September 2027 to August 2028
- A six week residential experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 2028
- International flight costs, visa fees, housing and flights covered by the fellowship, as stated by the institute
- A living stipend for the period spent in the United States
- Leadership coaching, mentorship and executive education
- Harvard faculty masterclasses and a community of former fellows
Who can apply
- Global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries
- A Master's degree or higher in a relevant field
- At least ten years of professional experience after that degree
- Full-time work in global health
- Demonstrated leadership experience and potential
- Eligibility for a J-1 visa
- Availability for the six week residential block in April 2028
- The institute states it welcomes applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors and gender identities
Who should not apply
- Applicants who completed a full-time fellowship of four months or longer in the preceding two years do not meet the stated condition
- Applicants who are not eligible for a J-1 visa fall outside the stated requirements
- Applicants who cannot commit to the six week April 2028 residency do not meet the stated availability condition
Documents to prepare
- Academic records showing a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field
- Evidence of at least ten years of professional experience after that degree
- Evidence of full-time work in global health and of demonstrated leadership experience
How to apply
- Open the Harvard Global Health Institute announcement page for the 2027 to 2028 LEAD Fellowship application
- Check the programme dates and the stated conditions against your own record, including the J-1 visa requirement and the April 2028 residency
- Submit the application through the route on that page before 15 November 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
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- Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2027 to 2028: Fully Funded Global Health Leadership Fellowship for Professionals in Low and Middle Income Countries
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Questions applicants ask
Is the fellowship open to applicants from Nigeria and other African countries?
Yes. The institute writes that it welcomes applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors and gender identities, and that the fellowship is aimed at global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries.
What does the fellowship cover?
The institute states that international flight costs, visa fees, housing and flights are covered by the fellowship, and that a living stipend is provided for the time in the United States. No individual cash award figure is published on the page.
How much experience do I need?
A Master's degree or higher in a relevant field, plus at least ten years of professional experience after that degree, and full-time work in global health.
When do applications close?
On 15 November 2026 at 11:59 PM EST, printed among the programme dates on the institute announcement page.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.


