2026 Obama Foundation Leaders Program for Young
Individuals | How To Apply) Deadline: 12 December, 2025
The Obama Foundation Leaders Program aims to inspire,
empower, and connect regional cohorts of changemakers to accelerate positive
and lasting change in their communities throughout their region, and across our
world.
These emerging leaders from around the world forge societies
and communities rooted in shared values, where all people belong, participate,
and thrive.
In this post, we will highlight the details of the Obama
Foundation Scholars Program, its details, requirements, benefits, and
step-by-step application guide.
Obama Foundation Leaders Program Summary
- Host:
Obama Foundation
- Category: Training | Fellowships
- Eligible
Countries: All Countries
- Reward:
Full Sponsorship
- Deadline:
December 12, 2025
2026 Obama Foundation Leaders Program Details:
The Obama Foundation Leaders program launched in Africa in
2018, expanded to Asia Pacific in 2019, inaugurated in Europe in 2020, and
kicked off in the United States in 2023.
We recognize the power that lies in bringing together
diverse cohorts of Leaders from many regions of the world, each with their own
approach and focus and a commitment to joining a global network of
changemakers.
Inspired by President Obama’s leadership approach, the
Leaders program engages participants in the challenges, opportunities, and
skills of making positive change.
Supported by full group sessions, small group discussions,
and individualized leadership coaching, participants define a values-based
foundation for sustained leadership, cultivate relationships with others to
catalyze more inclusive, lasting change, and prepare to engage with issues at
the systems level.
Requirements for Obama Foundation Scholars Program 2026:
Please be sure that you meet ALL of the following
eligibility criteria:
Based in Region: You currently reside in one of
the following eligible nations or territories in the region in which you are
applying:
- Africa:
All nations, countries, and territories on the African continent.
- Asia-Pacific: American
Samoa; Australia; Brunei; Cambodia; China; Cook Islands; Federated States
of Micronesia; Fiji; French Polynesia; Guam; Hawai`i; Hong Kong;
Indonesia; Japan; Kiribati; Korea, North (DPRK); Korea, South (ROK); Laos;
Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mongolia; Myanmar; Nauru; New Caledonia;
Macao; New Zealand; Niue; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New
Guinea; Philippines; Pitcairn Islands; Samoa; Singapore; Solomon Islands;
Taiwan; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Vietnam;
Wallis and Futuna
Please note that residents of South Asian countries are not
eligible for this particular program. The Obama Foundation expects to offer
leadership programs for South Asian countries in the future.
- Europe: Any
of the 46 Council of Europe member states and Kosovo.
Citizenship/Residency: You must meet one of the
criteria below for the region in which you are applying:
- You
are a citizen of an eligible nation or territory OR
- You
are a permanent resident of an eligible nation or territory OR
- You
are a refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible nation or territory OR
- You
have lived in an eligible nation or territory for at least the last 5
years, regardless of documentation status.
Geographic Focus: Your current and future work
is geographically focused on creating positive change for your local community,
an eligible nation or territory, and/or the broader region in which you
are applying.
Leadership Experience: You can demonstrate at
least three years of relevant experience in your issue area.
Age: You will be between 24 and 45 years old on
July 15, 2025.
Language Proficiency: You are professionally
proficient in English (spoken and written).
Political Campaigns: You will not be engaging in
an electoral campaign for political office between February 1 and July 15,
2025.
Program Commitment: You can commit to fully
participating in the entire duration of the program between February 1 and July
15, 2025, which will include a three day in-person convening (public health,
safety, and security conditions permitting) in late June or early July, and up
to 12 hours of live virtual programming per month. Participants should have no
more than three absences in order to attend the convening and complete the
program.
Duration and Rewards for Obama Foundation Leaders Program
- Monthly
stipend to assist with living expenses in New York City
- A furnished
studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University
- All tuition
and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University
- Basic
medical, dental and life insurance for the duration of the program
- Air
travel to and from home country and any program-related activities
- Leadership
development programming led by the Obama Foundation that will help
scholars gain the real-world skills, tools and experiences to expand
the impact of their work when they return home
Criteria
As described above, we aim to assemble a Leaders cohort from
a pool of candidates with a range of backgrounds, identities, and experience
levels. We take all of these into consideration when deciding upon who is
invited to become a Leader.
Our ideal candidates have these characteristics:
- Possesses
a clear issue of focus and can describe or measure their impact so far
- Holds
a leadership position in their changemaking work, whether full-time or
volunteer
- Demonstrates
a deeply ethical, values-based, equitable, and collaborative approach to
leadership
- Demonstrates
a willingness to learn from and share with other leaders in a group
setting
We have learned over the years that while many candidates
may possess most or all of these attributes, because of capacity limitations,
we can’t enroll everyone who applies to this highly competitive program.
Therefore, we try to curate a deliberate mix of participants whose perspectives
and experiences will complement each other.
How To Apply for Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2026
- Use
the link provided below to apply for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program.
- After
reading the criteria below, create an account and login. At the end
of the application, be sure to click on EACH submit button on successive
screens!
- A PDF
of the application guidelines and questions is available to download at
the bottom of this page
CLICK HERE TO READ
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