Applications are now open for the 2025/26 Obama Foundation Scholars Program for rising leaders worldwide fully funded to New York, USA

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Closing Date: 16 December 2024

Applications are now open for the 2025/26 Obama Foundation Scholars Program for rising leaders worldwide fully funded to New York, USA

Overview

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University brings together rising leaders from the United States and around the world who have demonstrated a commitment to finding solutions to challenges in their communities and countries. Scholars complete a fully-funded nine-month residency on campus at Columbia World Projects (CWP), deepening their knowledge and skills, and building new capacities and networks to accelerate their impact.

Scholars participate in an immersive program that brings together academic, skills-based and experiential learning, designed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation. Key components of the program include:

A weekly seminar that runs the length of the academic year, exploring questions in tandem with key global trends including inequality, technological developments, the diffusion of power, population movements, and climate change.
Personal and professional development workshops designed to strengthen practical skills to enhance Scholars’ ability to lead. Previous workshop topics include conflict management and resolution, public speaking, data analysis and interpretation, and resilience.
An experiential learning component that engages Scholars in the work of Columbia World Projects.

Audited coursework that provides Scholars with the flexibility to select and enroll in up to two graduate level courses each semester at Columbia.
A “Thought Leadership” speaker series that introduces Scholars to seasoned practitioners from the NGO community, philanthropy, government, and international organizations to expand Scholars’ networks and perspectives to help advance their work.
Partnership with a Columbia faculty adviser selected for their subject matter expertise to provide Scholars with new insights and perspectives to inform Scholars’ work.

Engagement with the Columbia University community, providing meaningful opportunities for Scholars to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus and gain exposure to different perspectives.

Scholars participate in a robust, immersive program that includes networking, guidance from Columbia faculty advisers, and values-based leadership development, among other activities. These experiences enable the Scholars to learn from some of the world’s most innovative leaders and build connections with the Obama Foundation and Columbia University.

Eligibility Requirements

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University seeks rising leaders from the United States and around the world who meet the following criteria:

Are emerging leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their field and are now at a “breakthrough moment” in their careers
Have a proven commitment to service and leadership within a community, region or country, coupled with a demonstrated commitment to return to these communities following their completion of the program and apply their enhanced training, skills, and connections on a long-term basis for the benefit of these communities
Are fluent in English (verbal, written and spoken)

Have the ability and inclination to positively shape the future of their community
Have a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, community-orientation, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity and resilience

Note: Priority will be given to applicants who have not matriculated at Columbia University. The fellowship is a full-time, residential program at Columbia and cannot be undertaken at the same time as a degree program.

Cohort Profile

Since 2018, the Obama Scholars Program at Columbia University has welcomed:

82 rising leaders from 60 countries who have demonstrated a commitment to finding solutions to challenges in their communities, countries, and regions
Scholars who were, on average, 33 years of age, with ages ranging from 24 to 45

Emerging institutional and movement leaders addressing a range of challenges, including strengthening governance, increasing access to high-quality healthcare, environmental sustainability, and promoting women’s rights and ending gender-based violence

Proof of English proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting scores from one of four exams: The internet-based or paper-based exams of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or the Duolingo English Test (DET). No other exams will be accepted.

This requirement is waived for applicants who have:

completed an undergraduate degree — not a master’s or graduate degree — in a country where English is an official language;

previously taken the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or DET exams in the last five years and scored at or above the minimum requirement of 100 (TOEFL-IBT), 600 (TOEFL-PBT), 7.0 (IELTS), 68 (PTE Academic), or 120 (DET; 75 on the DET taken prior to July 2019). If applicants qualify for a waiver under this exception, they must upload a scanned copy of their score report to the online application to ensure their application is eligible for review. If they did not score at or above the required minimum or no longer have a copy of their old results, they must retake an English proficiency exam.

Scholar Benefits

Monthly stipend to assist with living expenses in New York City
A furnished studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University
Tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University

Basic medical, dental and life insurance for the duration of the program in New York City
Air travel to and from home country and any program-related activities