Are you a seasoned professional in global health looking to deepen your leadership skills and expand your impact? The Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026-27 offers a fully funded opportunity for emerging global health leaders to advance their careers through a year-long fellowship based at Harvard.
Hosted 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 combines virtual learning with an in-person residency, mentorship, and executive coaching.
What Is the Harvard LEAD Fellowship?
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026-27 is a leadership development program aimed at mid-career professionals working in global health. It is designed to support, empower, and equip fellows with the skills, network, and experience needed to assume more significant leadership roles in their organizations and sectors.
The fellowship is jointly organized by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) and the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It runs for one year from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, and combines remote components with an in-person residency at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The in-person component occurs in April 2027 and spans approximately six weeks. During that period, fellows attend executive education, workshops, networking sessions, mentorship meetings, and leadership development modules at Harvard.
Summary of Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
| Host Institution | Harvard Global Health Institute & Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |
| Location | Virtual + In-person (Cambridge, MA, USA) |
| Duration | 1 year (September 2026 – August 2027) |
| Application Deadline | November 30, 2025 |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree + minimum 10 years professional experience in global health; employer support; leave of absence during in-residence period |
| Benefits | Fully Funded: airfare, visa fees, accommodation, meals, in-person residency course costs; executive coaching; mentorship, and access to Harvard resources |
Why the Harvard LEAD Fellowship Matters
This fellowship is significant for several reasons:
- Leadership Development at a Prestigious Institution
Because Harvard’s leading global health units offer the program, participants benefit from world-class faculty, curriculum, and access to Harvard’s network. - Support for Mid-Career Professionals
Unlike many early-career scholarships or fellowships, LEAD targets those who already have substantial experience (minimum ten years). It is intended to accelerate impact rather than serve as entry-level training. - Hybrid Structure
The mix of virtual and in-person learning ensures that fellows can continue responsibilities in their home institutions while also benefiting from immersive training during residency. - Full Financial Support
Because all major costs are covered, fellows can devote attention to the program without worrying about travel, housing, or course-fee expenses. - Networking & Mentorship
Fellows will have one-on-one mentorship, executive coaching, exposure to global health leaders, and interaction with their cohort, all of which can lead to long-term collaborations and enhanced impact in their home countries. - Focus on Global Health Leadership
The program is geared toward professionals working on policy, public health delivery, research, or advocacy. It strengthens capacity for leadership in health systems, policy reforms, and global health strategy.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To be considered for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026-27, you must satisfy the following:
- Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant field related to global health or health-adjacent disciplines.
- Have a minimum of ten years of full-time professional experience in global health or a closely related area.
- Be currently employed in a role related to global health (or demonstrate strong linkage to that domain).
- Have the support of your employer (which may be demonstrated via a letter of institutional commitment).
- Be willing and able to take a leave of absence (or equivalent) from your institution during the in-person residency (six weeks in April 2027).
- Hold or be eligible for a J-1 visa to enter the United States for the residency period.
- Must not have participated recently in another full-time fellowship (lasting four months or more) within the previous two years.
Additionally, you should meet any other criteria specified in the application form (e.g. essays, letters of support, mentor commitment).
Benefits & What Is Covered
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship is fully funded. The following benefits are typically provided:
- Round-trip airfare to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the in-person residency period.
- Visa fees for entry to the United States.
- Housing during the six-week residency at Harvard or Cambridge-area accommodations.
- Meals and local transportation or daily allowance while in residence.
- Program fees and executive-education or course-related charges during the in-person portion.
- Access to Harvard library, lectures, and networking events.
- Mentorship and leadership coaching from Harvard faculty or affiliated experts.
- Opportunity to collaborate with other global health professionals and build a network across disciplines and countries.
Because of these comprehensive benefits, successful fellows can focus entirely on maximizing the learning, networking, and impact potential of the program without worrying about the logistics or cost of participation.
How to Apply
To apply for the Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2026-27, follow these steps:
- Visit the Official Application Portal
Use the Harvard Global Health Institute’s website to access the LEAD Fellowship application form. - Register & Complete the Online Form
Create an applicant account and provide your personal, contact, academic, and professional details. - Prepare Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume
- Letter of Intent or Statement of Purpose
- Essays (often multiple short essays as specified)
- Letter of Institutional Commitment (from your current employer)
- Letter of Mentor Commitment (someone who supports your leadership development)
- Two additional letters of reference.
- Meet Employer Support Requirements
Ensure your employer agrees to permit you time away for the in-residence portion and demonstrates commitment via the required letter. - Submit Before the Deadline
All applications must be submitted by November 30, 2025. - Wait for Notification
After submission, shortlisted applicants will be invited for any further evaluation (interviews or assessment), after which offers will be made.
Because the fellowship is competitive, it is advisable to prepare your essays and supporting materials carefully and submit them ahead of the deadline to avoid technical issues.
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