Hey future global health leaders! Ever dreamed of making a huge impact on health worldwide and empowering other women along the way? Well, get ready, because the incredible Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program Bursary 2026 is calling your name!
This isn’t just any bursary; it’s a fully-funded, transformative opportunity designed to equip passionate individuals from low- and middle-income countries with top-tier leadership skills. Imagine spending a year enhancing your expertise, gaining global insights, and then coming back to mentor the next generation of female leaders in global health. How cool is that?
Who Can Apply?
This fellowship is all about finding and empowering diverse leaders. If you’re looking to boost your career and contribute meaningfully, check if you meet these requirements:
- You can be from any continent, region, discipline, sector, or gender identity – all are welcome!
- You need to have at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- You must be working full-time in global health and have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience (sorry, student work doesn’t count!).
- Your current employer needs to fully support your application and provide a ‘champion’ reference.
- You must be able to take a 6-week leave of absence from your job in April 2027 for the in-residence experience.
- You must be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States and be able to live in Boston, MA during the in-residence period.
- You should not have participated in a full-time fellowship lasting 4 months or longer in the two years prior to your arrival at Harvard.
What Does It Cover?
This is a fully funded opportunity designed to make your journey as smooth as possible. Here’s what the bursary typically covers:
- All your J-1 visa fees will be sorted.
- Accommodation and flights for your time in the United States are covered.
- You’ll also receive a living stipend for the weeks you are in residence in Boston.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into this life-changing experience? The application process is thorough, so gather your documents and get ready to shine! The deadline is November 30th, 2025, so don’t delay.
You’ll need to submit the following:
- Your detailed CV or Resume.
- A compelling Letter of Intent (max 1.5 pages), explaining your journey in global health and how this fellowship will transform your organization and country.
- Four essays (each max 2000 characters) covering:
- Your plan for career development/training activities.
- Your proposed project plan.
- Your strategy to provide mentoring to others.
- The fellowship’s anticipated impact on your organization, field, and home country.
- A Letter of Institutional Commitment from your employer, confirming their support and willingness to grant you a leave of absence for the in-residence period.
- A Letter of Mentor Commitment from a champion within your network who supports your professional growth.
- Two additional letters of reference (at least one from your current/most recent professional engagement, different from the mentor letter).
For all the official details and to kick-start your application, head over to the official Harvard Global Health Institute webpage:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Harvard Global Health Institute LEAD Fellowship Program
If this sounds like the epic adventure and career boost you’ve been searching for, don’t wait! Apply now and pave the way for a healthier future for all. And remember, Bursaries Room is always here to help you explore more incredible opportunities just like this!
