The Takemi Program in International Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is accepting applications for its 2027–2028 fellowship year, offering mid-career health professionals and researchers an opportunity to spend an academic year at Harvard developing an independent research project, strengthening their research capacity, and advancing their leadership in international health.

The program is particularly relevant to professionals working on health systems, global health, health policy, health financing, disease prevention and control, health equity, public health, and other challenges involving the mobilization and allocation of limited resources for better health outcomes.

Applications for the 2027–2028 program are currently open, and the official deadline is December 31, 2026, at midnight EST (USA).

About the Harvard Takemi Program in International Health

The Takemi Program in International Health is an interdisciplinary research and leadership program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The program brings a small group of mid-career health professionals and scholars to Harvard for an academic year to conduct focused research and develop their capacity for research and leadership.

The program’s central focus is on understanding how limited resources can be mobilized, allocated, and managed to improve health and health systems. Its research has a strong emphasis on practical health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Since its establishment in 1983, the program has developed a large international network of Takemi Fellows. Harvard currently reports that more than 330 fellows from more than 60 countries have participated in the program.

The program was named after Dr. Taro Takemi, a distinguished Japanese physician-scientist who served as president of the Japan Medical Association for more than two decades.

What Is the Takemi Fellowship?

The Takemi Program is designed for mid-career researchers and health professionals who have already developed substantial professional and research experience and want to dedicate an academic year to advancing a specific research project.

Unlike a conventional degree program, the Takemi Program is centered on an individual research project.

Each fellow works with a Harvard faculty advisor and uses the fellowship year to:

• Develop and conduct a focused research project
• Analyze existing data
• Strengthen research methodology
• Engage with Harvard faculty and researchers
• Participate in weekly academic seminars
• Present research findings and receive feedback
• Develop a publication-quality research paper
• Strengthen leadership capacity
• Build international professional networks
• Explore relevant Harvard coursework and academic resources

The program is conducted in person in Boston and does not offer a remote fellowship option.

Who Is the Takemi Program Designed For?

The program is primarily intended for mid-career health professionals and researchers.

Applicants should not view this as a typical early-career fellowship or a postgraduate degree scholarship. Harvard specifically describes the program as being for professionals and researchers who already have an advanced degree, significant work and research experience, publications, and demonstrated leadership potential.

Potential applicants may come from areas such as:

• Public health
• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• Epidemiology
• Health economics
• Health policy
• Health systems
• Global health
• Health administration
• Nutrition
• Health financing
• Disease prevention and control
• Implementation science
• Health services research
• Social and behavioral sciences
• Other fields relevant to international health

The most important consideration is not simply the applicant’s professional title. The proposed research should fit the program’s broader focus on improving health and health systems through better use of resources, stronger policies, and evidence-based interventions.

What Makes the Takemi Program Different?

The Takemi Program is particularly valuable because it provides fellows with something that can be difficult to obtain while working full-time: dedicated time and an academic environment to focus intensively on research.

Harvard describes the program as providing fellows with the space, time, and flexibility to enhance their research and leadership capacity.

Rather than requiring fellows to complete a conventional curriculum, the program allows them to concentrate on a research project that is relevant to their professional work and future contribution to health policy or practice.

This makes the program especially relevant for professionals who already have a research question, access to data, and a clear idea of how their research could contribute to improving health systems or policy.

Research Focus of the Takemi Program

The program’s research emphasis is broad but strongly connected to real-world international health challenges.

Research can examine questions related to:

Health Systems

Projects may investigate how health systems are organized, financed, managed, or improved.

Health Policy

Applicants may explore policies affecting health outcomes, healthcare delivery, access, equity, financing, or population health.

Health Resource Allocation

A central theme of the program is understanding how scarce resources can be allocated more effectively to achieve better health outcomes.

Disease Prevention and Control

Research may focus on strategies for preventing, controlling, or managing important diseases and health threats.

Health Promotion

Projects may examine interventions designed to improve population health and encourage healthier behaviors.

Global Health

The program is particularly interested in major health challenges affecting low- and middle-income countries and approaches that can produce practical improvements.

Health Equity

Research examining inequalities, access to healthcare, marginalized populations, and equitable distribution of health resources may also fit within the program’s broader research priorities.

Harvard states that Takemi research has a strong practical emphasis and that projects should be closely connected to action and to the fellow’s work after returning home.

A Critical Requirement: Your Data Must Already Be Available

One of the most important requirements for prospective applicants is that their research project must be ready for analysis before the fellowship begins.

Takemi does not support active data collection during the fellowship.

Harvard explicitly states that fellows are expected to conduct their research using data they bring with them and that having the necessary data collected before the program begins is mandatory.

This means applicants should not propose a research project that depends on spending the fellowship year conducting extensive surveys, recruiting participants, collecting laboratory samples, or otherwise gathering primary data.

Instead, a strong proposal should demonstrate that:

1. The research question has already been defined.
2. The necessary data are available.
3. The applicant has access to the data.
4. The data are sufficiently prepared for analysis.
5. The proposed methodology can realistically be implemented during the fellowship year.
6. The research can result in a publication-quality paper.

This requirement is particularly important when designing the research proposal.

Faculty Supervision and Research Mentorship

Each selected fellow is matched with a Harvard faculty advisor based on the fellow’s background and proposed research.

Applicants do not need to independently secure a Harvard faculty supervisor before applying.

Harvard explains that fellows are matched with faculty mentors after selection based on their background and proposed research.

The faculty advisor provides guidance and feedback throughout the research process.

Fellows also receive guidance from the Takemi Program leadership and benefit from interactions with other fellows and the broader Harvard community.

Weekly Takemi Seminar Series

An important component of the program is the weekly Takemi Seminar Series.

The seminars expose fellows to a broad range of research topics, methodologies, and perspectives through presentations by Harvard faculty and distinguished visiting scholars.

The seminars also create opportunities for discussion and intellectual exchange between fellows, faculty, and invited speakers.

This means the fellowship is not simply an individual research residency. Fellows become part of an academic community where they can receive feedback, exchange ideas, and learn from researchers working on different international health challenges.

Research Presentations During the Fellowship

Takemi Fellows are expected to present their research progress during the fellowship.

According to Harvard, fellows participate in:

• Preliminary presentations
• Mid-year presentations
• Final presentations
• Final academic poster presentation

These presentations provide opportunities for fellows to receive feedback from faculty advisors and peers as they develop their research.

By the end of the fellowship, fellows are expected to produce a final paper of publishable quality and a research poster.

Opportunity to Audit Harvard Courses

Although the Takemi Program is primarily a research fellowship, fellows may also have opportunities to audit classes at Harvard Chan School.

They are also encouraged to attend Harvard Chan seminars and other academic events.

This can allow fellows to supplement their research experience with additional academic exposure based on their professional and research interests.

Fellowship Duration

The Takemi Program is a full academic-year fellowship.

Harvard states that the fellowship runs from:

August 1 through June 30

Fellows are expected to arrive before the program orientation, which takes place in late August. The certificate ceremony is generally held in early May.

Applicants should therefore plan for a substantial period of residence in Boston rather than treating the fellowship as a short-term visiting researcher position.

What Applicants Need to Submit

The application includes several components designed to assess the applicant’s academic background, professional experience, research capacity, motivation, and leadership potential.

The application requires the following:

1. Eligibility Questionnaire

Applicants must complete the program’s eligibility questionnaire.

This helps establish whether the applicant meets the fundamental requirements for consideration.

2. Proof of English Language Proficiency

Applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency.

The application accepts:

• TOEFL
• IELTS

Applicants who attended a university where English was the language of instruction may submit a copy of their transcript as evidence, according to the application instructions provided.

3. Statement of Interest

The Statement of Interest is an important component of the application.

Applicants should explain:

• Why they are interested in the Takemi Program
• Why the fellowship is important at this stage of their career
• How the program will contribute to their professional development
• What they can contribute to the Takemi community
• Why they believe they would succeed in the program
• What they hope to gain from the fellowship
• What they plan to do after completing the program

A strong statement should connect the applicant’s past experience, current research interests, Takemi fellowship objectives, and future professional plans.

4. Basic Information

Applicants will provide standard personal and application information through the online application portal.

5. Education and Professional Experience

Applicants must provide information about their academic and professional background.

This section allows the program to understand the applicant’s progression and experience in relation to the fellowship.

6. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must upload a current CV in PDF format.

The CV should clearly present relevant:

• Academic qualifications
• Professional experience
• Research experience
• Publications
• Leadership roles
• Awards and recognition
• Relevant projects
• Professional activities

Because the Takemi Program is designed for mid-career professionals, the CV should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s professional trajectory and research accomplishments.

7. Research Proposal

The research proposal is arguably one of the most important components of the application.

Applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than five pages, excluding the title page and references.

The proposal should be:

• Single-spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman
• Submitted as a PDF

The proposal should include the following sections.

Title Page

The title page should clearly identify the proposed research project.

Summary of the Proposed Project

The summary should provide a concise overview of the research, including:

• The central research problem
• Specific aims and objectives
• Potential significance of the research

The application guidance suggests approximately half a page for this section.

Specific Aims

Applicants should clearly explain what the research intends to accomplish.

The suggested length is approximately half a page to one page.

Background and Significance

This section should establish:

• What is already known
• What problem remains
• Why the problem matters
• Why the proposed research is important
• How the project contributes to existing knowledge

Data Sources

Applicants should identify the data that will be used.

This is particularly important because the program requires the necessary data to already be collected before the fellowship begins.

Research Design and Methods

This section should explain how the research will be conducted.

Applicants should clearly describe:

• Research design
• Analytical approach
• Variables or measures
• Methods
• Data analysis
• Any relevant methodological considerations

The application guidance suggests approximately two pages for this section.

References

The proposal should conclude with relevant references.

8. Publication List

Applicants must provide a list of their publications.

This requirement reflects the program’s emphasis on applicants who already have demonstrated research experience and scholarly output.

Applicants should ensure that the publication list is accurate, clearly organized, and consistent with the CV.

9. Published Document in English

Applicants must provide a document published in English.

This gives the selection committee an opportunity to assess the applicant’s ability to communicate scholarly work in English.

10. Three References

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of three referees.

After the application is submitted, referees receive an automated request to submit their references to the Takemi Program.

Applicants should therefore choose referees who can provide meaningful evidence of their:

• Research ability
• Professional experience
• Leadership potential
• Academic development
• Contribution to health systems or policy
• Capacity to benefit from the fellowship

Who Is Eligible for the Takemi Program?

Harvard’s current application guidance states that applicants should be mid-career researchers and professionals who have:

• Completed an advanced degree
• Significant work experience
• Significant research experience
• Publications in internationally recognized journals
• Demonstrated potential for leadership in their home countries
• Appropriate preparation to benefit from the program
• Strong English-language ability

The program is primarily designed for people who are already established in their professional careers rather than recent graduates.

Is the Takemi Program Open to International Applicants?

Yes.

The Takemi Program is explicitly international and brings together professionals and researchers from around the world.

Harvard’s historical fellowship network includes fellows from countries across:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• The Middle East
• North America
• South America
• Other regions

Harvard describes the program as having a particular emphasis on fellows from low- and middle-income countries.

Therefore, the opportunity is not restricted to U.S. citizens or residents.

Professionals from eligible countries around the world can apply if they meet the program’s academic, professional, research, and leadership requirements.

Is There a Race or Ethnicity Requirement?

The program does not specify a racial or ethnic eligibility restriction.

Its emphasis is instead on professional background, research experience, leadership potential, English proficiency, and the relevance and quality of the proposed research.

Harvard also states that the Takemi Program welcomes research examining issues related to racism, discrimination, marginalization, structural inequality, and other related issues when relevant to international health research.

Preference for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Takemi Program has a longstanding commitment to strengthening research and leadership capacity among professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Harvard states that the program has historically focused on building the capacity of mid-career researchers from LMICs and that most Takemi Fellows have focused their work on LMIC-related challenges.

This makes the program particularly relevant for professionals whose work addresses health challenges in developing and emerging economies.

Financial Support and Funding

Applicants should pay close attention to funding arrangements.

The Takemi Program states that incoming fellows are generally responsible for securing funding to support their fellowship year. Boston is an expensive city, and Harvard encourages accepted candidates to plan carefully for the cost of living and other expenses.

However, limited funding mechanisms are available.

For example, Harvard reports that a contribution from the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) provides partial financial support for up to two fellows from low-income countries each year. Candidates can indicate their interest in this support during the application process.

Importantly, applicants should not assume that the Takemi fellowship automatically provides full funding for the entire year.

Accepted applicants may need to secure funding through other sources, such as:

• Employer or professional development funding
• Government funding
• Research grants
• International fellowships
• Fulbright funding
• Other external funding sources

Harvard provides information about potential external funding sources for incoming fellows.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027–2028 Takemi Program in International Health is:

December 31, 2026

Applications must be submitted by midnight EST (USA) on December 31, 2026.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because the application includes multiple documents, a research proposal, English-language documentation, publications, and three references.

Click HERE to read more and apply.

Conclusion

The Harvard Takemi Program in International Health 2027–2028 represents a significant opportunity for experienced health professionals and researchers seeking dedicated time to conduct high-quality research, strengthen their leadership capacity, and contribute to better health policies and systems.

The program is particularly relevant to mid-career professionals with advanced degrees, substantial research and professional experience, international publications, and demonstrated leadership potential. Its strong emphasis on practical research makes it especially suitable for applicants whose work addresses health challenges in low- and middle-income countries.

The program is also international rather than restricted to U.S. applicants, making it potentially relevant to qualified health professionals and researchers across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and other regions. Harvard’s fellowship network demonstrates its longstanding international reach.

The application deadline is December 31, 2026, at midnight EST (USA). Applicants should begin preparing well in advance because the application requires a research proposal, statement of interest, CV, publication list, English-language documentation, writing sample, and three references.

Click HERE for more fellowship opportunities.