Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University
Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University
Obama Foundation Scholars Program Is Accepting Applications For The 2025- 2026 program( Fully Funded)
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.
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program Is Accepting Applications For The 2025- 2026 program (Fully Funded)
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, chops- based and existential learning, designed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation. Crucial components of the program include
- A weekly seminar that runs the length of the academic year, exploring questions in tandem with crucial global trends including inequality, technological developments, the diffusion of power, population movements, and climate change.
- particular and professional development workshops designed to strengthen practical skills to enhance Scholars’ ability to lead. Former 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.
- 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.
Upon completion of the program, Obama Foundation Scholars, empowered by their experience, return to the regions where they've been working and continue along a path of service.
The purpose of the program is to help Obama Foundation Scholars take the connections and skills they acquire during the program and apply them for the benefit of their communities, countries, and regions. Obama Foundation Scholars are expected to remain engaged with the Obama Foundation and Columbia World Projects after the conclusion of the program.
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 haven't matriculated at Columbia University. The fellowship is a full-time, domestic program at Columbia and can not be undertaken at the same time as a degree program.
The Obama Foundation Is still accepting applications for the 2025- 2026 program.
