Imagine spending four to eight months in Phnom Penh, living in a house full of driven Cambodian university women, teaching them leadership and critical thinking, eating Khmer food together every day — and having your room, board, insurance and a monthly stipend covered. That is what the Harpswell Leadership Residency offers. It is not a degree scholarship; it is a hands-on, residential leadership experience run by the Harpswell Foundation. One thing you should know up front: the application window for the 2027 cohorts has closed, but the program runs every year, so read this as your preparation guide for the next round.
In short: The Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027 was a 4–8 month funded residency in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, open to international women with a university degree. Residents received full room and board, travel insurance and a $330 monthly stipend, and mentored Cambodian women leaders. Applications for the January and May 2027 cohorts closed on 18 September 2026 — future applicants should watch Harpswell's official page for the next intake.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: Cambodia
- Host Institution: Harpswell Foundation (Leadership Centers, Phnom Penh)
- Degree Level: Not a degree — professional development residency for university graduates
- Program Duration: 4–8 months (Leadership Resident Fellow: 12 months)
- Funding Type: Funded (room and board, travel insurance, monthly stipend; airfare not covered)
- Deadline: 18 September 2026 (for the January and May 2027 cohorts — now closed)
Benefits of the Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027
The financial package is designed to cover your daily life in Phnom Penh rather than make you rich, and Harpswell is upfront about that. Here is what is covered:
- Full room and board — You live at Harpswell's leadership centers alongside the students, with fresh Khmer meals provided daily.
- Travel insurance — Provided by the program for the whole residency.
- Monthly stipend — $330 USD per month for Leadership Residents, or $420 USD per month for the 12-month Leadership Resident Fellow. The amounts reflect the cost of living in Phnom Penh.
- Teaching experience — You teach Harpswell's in-house Core Curriculum and facilitate twice-weekly critical-thinking discussions. Real classroom hours you can put on your CV.
- Mentoring and leadership skills — Daily practice in mentoring, facilitation, and student leadership development, plus office hours where you help students with English, university papers and job applications.
- Deep cultural immersion — You celebrate Khmer holidays with students and staff, and every resident gets the chance to do a provincial homestay with a Harpswell student's family.
- The sisterhood network — You join the Harpswell sisterhood and an alumnae network of 100+ former residents, with ongoing virtual mentorship and expert-led learning sessions even after you leave.
The honest catch: you must arrange and pay for your own travel to and from Cambodia. Budget for international airfare plus any personal expenses before you apply.
Eligibility Criteria for the Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027
Harpswell is clear about who the program is for — and just as importantly, who it is not for:
- Women only — The program is open to international women. Harpswell welcomes applicants of any race, ethnicity, social background, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
- University degree — You must already hold a university degree (undergraduates still studying are not eligible).
- Excellent English — Strong spoken and written English is required, since you will be teaching and tutoring in English. Teaching experience is a plus for Residents and strongly preferred for Fellows.
- Commitment to the mission — Harpswell wants women committed to social change, women's leadership and education as a tool for empowerment.
- Cross-cultural curiosity — A genuine interest in learning from Cambodian students and adapting to a very different daily rhythm.
- Self-motivated and flexible — The role needs people who can work independently and adjust when plans change.
- Evenings and weekends — You must be willing to work non-traditional hours; dorm life does not run nine-to-five.
- Fellow track extras — The 12-month Leadership Resident Fellow needs at least 2 years of professional experience and takes a peer-leader role, managing the LR schedule and onboarding new residents.
How to Apply for the Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027
Applications went through Harpswell's own online application process (the 2027 window has closed, but the steps below are what the next round will most likely look like, based on the official program page):
1. Read the official page first. Go to harpswell.org/leadership-residents and review the current cohort dates, responsibilities and benefits. 2. Pick your cohort. Applications covered the January 2027 and May 2027 intakes; you select your preferred residency term on the form. 3. Open the online application form. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account to access the form. 4. Enter your basic information. Personal details, education and work history, as usual. 5. Answer the essay questions. The form asks why you want to be a Harpswell Leadership Resident, what your expectations of the program are, and what experience and skills you will share with the Harpswell community. These short essays are the heart of the application — write them with real thought, not generic statements. 6. Upload your documents. Have your CV and supporting documents ready before you start. 7. Provide two references. You will need the names and email addresses of two referees — choose people who have actually seen you teach, mentor or lead. 8. Indicate how you heard about the opportunity. A small step, but fill it in honestly. 9. Submit before the deadline. For the 2027 round the cutoff was 18 September 2026. For the next round, submit early rather than testing the final hours.
Required Documents
- CV or résumé — Showing your education, work and any teaching, mentoring or volunteer experience.
- Short written statements — The form's essay questions on motivation, expectations and what you bring to the community.
- Two references — Names and email addresses of two people who can speak to your character and suitability.
Harpswell Leadership Residency 2027 Deadline
Applications for the January and May 2027 cohorts closed on 18 September 2026. Harpswell runs the residency year-round with intakes beginning between May–August and November–February, so if you missed the 2027 window, the smart move is to spend the next few months building teaching or mentoring experience — and to watch the official page, which announces the next application window well in advance. A virtual information session was held on 3 September 2026 for the 2027 round, and future rounds will likely have a similar one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harpswell Leadership Residency really fully funded?
Not exactly, and it is important to understand the difference. Harpswell provides full room and board, travel insurance and a $330 monthly stipend (or $420 for the 12-month Fellow), which covers daily life in Phnom Penh. You must, however, pay for your own international airfare to and from Cambodia, plus personal expenses. Think of it as a funded residency, not a fully funded scholarship.
Can men apply for the Harpswell Leadership Residency?
No. The program is designed for international women, since its whole mission is supporting the leadership development of Cambodian women students.
Is this a university degree or an academic scholarship?
Neither. Harpswell describes it explicitly as a professional development opportunity. You will not earn a degree or credits. You will gain teaching hours, mentoring experience and cross-cultural leadership practice that look very strong on a résumé.
What will I actually do day to day as a Leadership Resident?
You will teach Harpswell's Core Curriculum courses, facilitate twice-weekly critical-thinking discussions on current events, tutor students in English, hold regular office hours, support student leadership development, build relationships with students and alumnae, and plan at least one cultural activity per month.
Do I need teaching experience to apply?
Teaching experience is an advantage for the standard Resident role, and it is strongly preferred if you want the 12-month Fellowship. If you have mentored, tutored or led workshops informally, say so — it counts.
What is the difference between a Leadership Resident and a Leadership Resident Fellow?
The standard Resident commits to 4–8 months with a $330/month stipend. The Fellow — a role launched in 2025 for one exceptional woman per cycle — stays 12 months, receives $420/month, needs 2+ years of professional experience, and acts as peer leader: managing the LR schedule, onboarding new residents and shaping the program's culture.
When do the 2027 cohorts start, and how long do they last?
The 2027 application round covered January 2027 and May 2027 cohorts. Residents commit to terms of four to eight months, with start periods falling between May–August or November–February.
Do I need to speak Khmer?
No. Excellent spoken and written English is what Harpswell requires. You will pick up Khmer phrases naturally living with students — and they will appreciate you trying.
Does Harpswell cover my visa to Cambodia?
The official page does not detail visa support; what it confirms is travel insurance plus full room and board. You should plan your visa and travel arrangements yourself and can ask the Harpswell team at the application stage about guidance.
Can I apply again if I was rejected for the 2027 round?
The official page does not state a reapplication policy. Since the program recruits every year, a rejected applicant can reasonably strengthen their profile — especially with more teaching or mentoring experience — and apply for the next intake.
Final Words
The Harpswell Leadership Residency is for a particular kind of woman: one who wants to teach, mentor and live inside a community rather than just attend a workshop. If that sounds like you, the months between now and the next application window are a gift — use them to get classroom or mentoring experience, because that is exactly what Harpswell selects for. And remember to budget for your flights, since everything else is taken care of.
