Applications are open for Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University. This is a full-time, fully-funded leadership development program that 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, countries, and regions.

Over the course of an academic year at Columbia University, Obama Foundation Scholars deepen their knowledge and skills and build new capacities and networks to accelerate their impact in their home countries. Upon completion of the program, Obama Foundation Scholars, empowered by their experience, return to the regions where they have been working and continue along a path of service.

Cohort Profile

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

• 34 rising leaders from 29 countries who have demonstrated a commitment to finding solutions to challenges in their communities, countries, and regions.
• Scholars who were, on average, 35 years of age, with ages ranging from 25 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.

Criteria

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

• Emerging leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their field and are now at a “breakthrough moment” in their careers.
• 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.
• Fluent in English (verbal, written, and spoken).
• The ability and inclination to positively shape the future of their community.
• A demonstrated commitment to humility, integrity, inclusivity, stewardship, fearlessness, imagination, and teamwork.

Please complete the 2021-2022 nomination form here.