The selection process
What we look for
The Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellowship is designed for accomplished leaders with a track record of innovation and achievement in their primary career. Candidates for the fellowship should be motivated to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing communities around the world. They should recognize the value that engagement with Harvard University can add as they prepare for their next phase of life’s work.
The process of identifying promising candidates begins approximately a year in advance of the start of the fellowship and continues over 6-9 months in several rounds. Interested candidates may opt in at anytime, including late in the process. Selection is done by a Faculty Selection Committee representing diverse parts of Harvard University.
Our criteria
Experienced leaders
ALI Fellows have at least 20 years of executive-level, senior leadership experience in any industry sector or public service capacity, are notable for a consistent level of superior accomplishment, and have a track record of action and innovation.
Dedicated to service
ALI Fellows are transitioning to a next phase dedicated to contributing to society by helping find and deploy solutions to critical problems.
Focused on impact
ALI Fellows aspire to have big impact—no matter the scale—through projects, ventures, or leadership roles that drive positive change in societal challenge areas of their choosing, including education, health, and the environment.
Eager to learn
ALI Fellows feel they can benefit from Harvard’s intellectual resources and from interaction and collaboration with peers with similar goals.
Fully committed
ALI Fellows make a commitment to a rigorous but flexible program of activities, with two semesters in residence at Harvard, including mentoring students and helping peers.
The timeline
Candidates for the fellowship are considered in three rounds. Select leaders of unusual distinction may be invited at other times at the discretion of the Faculty Selection Committee.
1. Initial review
Following a careful review of the initial information submitted, the Advanced Leadership Initiative will contact those candidates whose accomplishments indicate a potential match with the nature of the ALI Fellowship and expectations for ALI Fellows. After an initial interview by telephone or video with a member of the ALI team, those candidates exhibiting the strongest alignment with ALI’s mission and the greatest potential for meaningful, positive social impact will be asked to write a personal statement which further describes their interests, aspirations, and motivations for pursuing the ALI Fellowship, and to submit two letters of recommendation. The most promising candidates will then have a mandatory interview by telephone or video with a member of the Advanced Leadership Initiative Faculty.
2. Decision rounds
Over three decision rounds, highly curated groups of finalists will have their candidate dossiers presented for consideration by ALI’s Faculty Selection Committee. Ahead of this presentation, finalists are asked to confirm that they have the ability to accept, fund, and join the ALI Fellowship if invited to do so, and to attest that they will both fully commit to fulfil the fellowship’s participation requirements and that they meet the high ethical standards expected of ALI Fellows. Program costs for the ALI Fellowship are comparable to a year of graduate study at a peer institution.
3. Status update
Following the faculty committee's review of dossiers, finalists will be informed of their status, and a number may be invited to become an Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow. Strong candidates may be put on a “hold” status pending the review of the broader pool. A small group of individuals may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates placed on the waiting list will be notified of their status as soon as final information is available, which may occur shortly before the start of the next year's program. The faculty do not grant deferrals to join a future cohort.
Dates for selection
August 2024 - June 2025 Fellowship
February 29, 2024
First selection round deadline to apply by submitting CV.
Presented candidates in this selection round will receive notification of the decision on their candidacy by mid-April.
May 31, 2024
Second selection round deadline to apply by submitting CV.
Presented candidates in this selection round will receive notification of the decision on their candidacy by late July.
Introduce yourself.
Join the next cohort of Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellows. Embark on an enriching, pioneering, transformative year of preparation—build on your extensive leadership experience and jump-start your next stage of service and impact.