Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 in USA (Fully Funded)

Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 for International Students

Applications are now open for the Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 in the United States. International candidates from all around the world are welcome to apply for this fellowship. This six-week, in-person program is expected to start in April 2027. All major expenses, including a stipend, visa fees, international airfare, meals, and accommodation, will be covered by the hosting organization.

The Fellows Program in the United States is a fully funded opportunity that combines both in-person and virtual components over the course of one year. It is set to begin on September 1, 2026, and will continue until August 31, 2027. As part of the Harvard LEAD Program at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, participants will attend the spring semester on campus in the U.S., while the fall semester will be held online. Further details about the program are provided below.

We are honored to partner with Harvard faculty members who actively contribute to global health research and education through the Harvard Global Health Institute. United by a mission to advance global health through innovative research, teaching, and action, our affiliated faculty represent diverse disciplines across Harvard’s schools and centers. Fellowships play a key role in nurturing talent, driving innovation, and empowering future leaders in academia. Through these programs, Harvard junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and global health professionals gain valuable opportunities for career development, mentorship, and engagement within Harvard’s vibrant community of health experts.

Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 Details

Duration:	1 year
Scholarship coverage:	Fully Funded
Eligible nationality:	All Nationalities
Award country:	United States
Last date:	30 November 2025

Financial Benefits

The Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 in USA for international students covers:

• Return Airfare
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Stipend
• Visa Fees

Objectives

• More global health leaders should be empowered and equipped, with a focus on people in low- and middle-income nations (LMICs).
• Encourage these people to take on leadership roles.
• Ask the fellows to mentor upcoming female global health leaders.

Focus Area

• HIV/AIDS.
• Healthcare to health policy.

Documents Required

• Online Application Form
• CV/Resume
• A Letter of Intent (no more than 1.5 pages in length)
• Four essays (no more than 2000 characters each)
  • Essay 1: Plan for Career Development/Training Activities
  • Essay 2: Project Plan
  • Essay 3: Candidate’s Plan to Provide Mentoring
  • Essay 4: Fellowship Impact on Candidate’s Organization, Field, and Home Country
• A Letter of Institutional Commitment from their home institution
• A Letter of Mentor Commitment from someone within your organization
• Two additional letters of reference.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered for the Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 in the USA (Fully Funded), students:

• Applicants must submit an application on their own behalf.
• The minimal educational requirement for applicants is a master’s degree in a related discipline.
• Candidates must be employed full-time in the global health industry at the moment.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience is required; work done while enrolled in school does not count.
• Candidates need the full backing of their workplace as well as an organizational champion who will act as a reference.
• During the six-week in-residence program in April 2027, applicants must take a leave of absence (or an equivalent) from their home institution.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the Harvard LEAD Fellows Program 2026 in the USA for international students is 30th November 2025.