About the opportunity
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health, offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute, is designed to support and empower mid-career to senior women global health professionals from low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to address gender disparities in global health leadership by providing fellows with tailored leadership coaching, structured mentorship, executive education opportunities, and robust networking connections. Fellows participate in a comprehensive year-long curriculum that includes a dynamic six-week in-person residency experience at Harvard University during the Spring semester, allowing them to collaborate with leading experts, refine their leadership strategies, and drive impactful change within their home institutions and communities.
Funding and benefits
- Leadership coaching and professional development training
- Structured mentorship from global health experts
- Executive education opportunities
- Professional networking and community building with international peers
- A six-week in-person residency experience at Harvard University
Who can apply?
- Open to women global health professionals
- Applicants must be from low- and middle-income countries
- Candidates should be experienced professionals or mid-career to senior leaders in the global health sector
When to apply
- Applications open in October 2026 for the 2027–2028 cycle
- Application deadline is November 8, 2026
How to apply
- Submit the application online through the official Harvard Global Health Institute portal before the deadline.
Additional information
- The in-person component takes place at Harvard University in Spring 2028.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for established women professionals and leaders working in global health within low- and middle-income countries seeking formal leadership enhancement.
- Strong fit for candidates looking to expand their international professional network and connect with Harvard-affiliated global health experts.
- Well-suited for practitioners aiming to implement transformative leadership strategies in their home regions.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires a commitment to participate in a demanding year-long fellowship framework alongside a six-week intensive in-person residency at Harvard.
- Applicants must carefully plan for temporary relocation to the United States for the six-week residency period during Spring 2028.
- Strict eligibility constraints limit applicant pool participation strictly to women from low- and middle-income countries.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship aligns exceptionally well with the goals of mid-to-senior career practitioners who want to elevate their institutional impact, gain world-class executive training, and secure dedicated mentorship without stepping away permanently from their home sectors.
Our take
Experienced women global health leaders from qualifying low- and middle-income countries seeking elite executive education and structured mentorship should strongly consider applying before the November 2026 deadline. Those outside the target demographic or unable to travel for the residency should look for alternative regional programs.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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