Scholarship Overview
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Program Overview
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health is a transformative leadership development program designed for mid-career professionals from low- and middle-income countries. Offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) in collaboration with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this fellowship prioritizes personalized growth over traditional classroom instruction.
The 2027–2028 cohort will follow a hybrid structure: a 12-month virtual curriculum combined with a six-week in-person residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during Spring 2028. Fellows engage in one-on-one leadership coaching, executive education courses, private masterclasses led by Harvard faculty, speaking opportunities, and structured networking. The program emphasizes autonomy—participants build customized curricula aligned with their specific leadership goals and growth areas.
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Since its inception, the LEAD Fellowship has welcomed 26 fellows from 21 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Alumni expertise spans research, advocacy, administration, policy, and clinical practice.
What the Fellowship Covers
The LEAD Fellowship is fully funded. Specific covered expenses include:
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- J-1 visa fees for the U.S. residency period
- Round-trip flights to Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Housing for the six-week in-person component
- Living stipend during the U.S. residency
- All program-related training, coaching, and mentorship
No tuition fees are charged; the fellowship is designed to remove financial barriers to leadership development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Work full-time in global health with at least 10 years of professional experience beyond education (university work does not count)
- Have substantial leadership experience and demonstrated potential for further growth
- Be able to take leave from their home institution for the six-week April 2028 residency
- Be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa for U.S. travel in April 2028
- Be available to reside in Cambridge, MA, for the full six-week period
- Not have participated in any full-time fellowship lasting four months or longer in the two years prior to the Harvard fellowship
The program welcomes applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, and gender identities. Self-nomination is required—candidates apply directly without institutional endorsement.
Application Process
Applications are submitted directly to Harvard Global Health Institute. Key steps include:
- Review eligibility requirements and program details on the official LEAD Fellowship page
- Prepare required materials including evidence of professional experience, leadership accomplishments, and proposed growth areas
- Submit complete application by the deadline
- Await notification in Spring 2027 if selected
The fellowship runs from September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2028.
Why African and SADC Professionals Should Apply
For health leaders from Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region, the LEAD Fellowship offers rare access to Harvard’s global health ecosystem without the financial burden typically associated with U.S.-based programs. The six-week residency provides immersion in one of the world’s leading public health institutions, while the virtual components allow continued engagement with home institutions.
The fellowship’s emphasis on reflection and strategic recalibration addresses a critical gap for mid-career professionals who have advanced through technical excellence but seek space to develop executive leadership capacity. Past African fellows have leveraged the network to influence national health policy, build regional collaborations, and transition into senior decision-making roles.
Selection Criteria
Competitive applicants demonstrate:
- Track record of leadership impact in global health settings
- Clear articulation of growth goals and how the fellowship addresses them
- Potential to contribute to and benefit from cohort-based learning
- Commitment to returning to and strengthening health systems in their home countries
The selection process emphasizes fit between applicant goals and program offerings rather than academic metrics alone.
Official scholarship page: https://globalhealth.harvard.edu/2027-2028-harvard-lead-fellowship-application-is-now-open/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
