Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program 2027–2028: Transformational Fellowship Opportunity for South African Leaders at Harvard University

The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) 2027–2028 is now open for applications. Established in 1979, the HSAFP is a prestigious and transformative fellowship initiative administered by the Harvard University Center for African Studies. The program was originally created to address the educational barriers faced by South Africans during Apartheid and continues to serve as a powerful bridge-building platform for exceptional South African professionals.

For more than four decades, the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program has provided talented South Africans with access to advanced academic and professional training at Harvard University. The fellowship aims to equip leaders with knowledge, networks, and skills that contribute to meaningful impact in South Africa and beyond.

About the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program

The HSAFP offers up to one year of study at select Harvard schools, including:

• Harvard Law School

• Harvard Kennedy School of Government

• Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

• Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• Harvard Business School Executive Education Programs, including:

  • Program for Leadership Development (PLD)

  • General Management Program (GMP)

  • Advanced Management Program (AMP)

The fellowship is designed to provide a transformational experience for mid-career and senior professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their fields and strong potential for societal impact.

Why Apply for the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program

The HSAFP provides:

• Access to world-class Harvard faculty and resources

• Exposure to global policy, governance, public health, business, and academic networks

• A strong alumni community of influential South African leaders

• A transformative academic and professional experience

• Lifelong engagement with the Harvard community

The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program remains one of the most prestigious leadership fellowships available to South African professionals seeking advanced training and meaningful societal impact.

Fellowship Impact and Legacy

Since its inception, the HSAFP has supported more than 220 fellows who have gone on to assume leadership roles across South African society. Alumni hold prominent positions in:

• Government and public service

• Academia and research

• Civil society organizations

• Business and the private sector

• Health institutions and international organizations

• Arts, humanities, and cultural leadership

Fellows not only benefit from Harvard’s world-class academic environment but also contribute valuable South African perspectives to classrooms, seminars, and research initiatives in Cambridge.

Eligibility and Selection

Fellows are selected based on demonstrated excellence, leadership capacity, and potential for transformative impact in South Africa following the fellowship year. The recruitment and selection process takes place annually, with interviews facilitated by the Africa Office in Johannesburg. Click here to see full list of eligibility criteria, considerations, and expectations.

Application Timeline for 2027–2028 Cohort

• Application Opens: January 31, 2026

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Applicants must complete both the HSAFP application process and admission requirements for the relevant Harvard school or program. Click here to review the application procedure.

APPLY HERE

Click here to see the frequently asked questions about the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program.

For questions about this application, please contact the Africa Office at africaoffice@harvard.edu 

To discover more fellowship opportunities, visit OFY’s fellowship page here.