Emirates Leadership Initiative
A collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, the Belfer Center’s Middle East Initiative, and Executive Education, the Emirates Leadership Initiative (ELI) provides critical opportunities for emerging leaders from the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East to confront the region’s public policy issues through a multi-pronged approach. Funded by the government of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Leadership Initiative features several components, including: a research fund supporting pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and faculty research; student degree fellowships; an on-site learning experience in the UAE; and Executive Education programs.
Executive Education Programs:
Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education offers over 35 programs annually, online and on-campus, and includes topics ranging from leadership to collaborative governance to innovation.
Through the Emirates Leadership Initiative, leaders working in the Abu Dhabi Government are eligible for full fellowships to attend Executive Education programs at HKS.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to any HKS Executive Education program that best fits their current training needs. Programs that are most focused on the needs of global leaders are:
For a full list of Executive Education programs, please see our website.
Fellowship Process:
Interested applicants must apply online for their program of choice. Admissions is on a competitive basis. To be considered for the Fellowship award, please choose Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship in the financial sponsor drop down. Those who meet admissions criteria and are eligible for the fellowship will receive full tuition assistance. Travel and extra nights accommodation are not covered by the Fellowship.
Applications for the ELI Fellowship are reviewed quarterly and will be considered based on the program start date. The timeline for consideration is:
- September 30
- December 31
- March 31
- June 30
Applicants will receive notification within two weeks of the review date.
Please direct any questions regarding the Fellowship to Laura Simolaris at laura_simolaris@hks.harvard.edu or +1-617-496-4215.
Harvard Kennedy School serves the public interest by preparing leaders for service to society through scholarship and collaboration that contributes to the solution of public problems. Executive Education programs at Harvard Kennedy School bring together today’s public, private, and nonprofit leaders from around the globe to develop the skills they need to create public value in solving society’s most pressing problems.