The Obama Foundation Scholars Program for 2024-2025

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University brings together emerging leaders from around the world who have demonstrated a commitment to finding solutions to challenges in their communities, countries and regions. Over the course of an academic year, Obama Foundation Scholars have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills and build new capacities and networks that accel­­erate their impact in their home countries. Current and previous Scholars hail from the U.S. and around the world and are accomplished practitioners in a range of fields including education, community and civic engagement, and sustainable development.

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

Please 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 Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University has welcomed:

  • 70 rising leaders from 54 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 26 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

To learn more about the program, please visit https://worldprojects.columbia.edu/news-media/columbia-world-projects-opens-application-2024-2025-obama-foundation-scholars-program

You may also like...