Obama Foundation Scholars Program 2025/2026

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program allows rising leaders to take their work to the next level through an immersive curriculum that brings together academic, skills-based, and hands-on learning.

Scholars will be awarded fully funded scholarships to pursue master’s degree programs at Columbia University in the USA. The scholarship will provide monthly stipends, furnished apartments, tuition fees, travel, and medical fee coverage for selected candidates to find solutions to challenges in their communities, countries, and regions.

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program, available at Columbia University, United States, is part of Columbia World Projects and Columbia Global. Applications for its seventh cohort are currently open, and rising leaders from around the world are welcome to apply to participate in a nine-month immersive program.

Tuition Fees

Studying in the United States has different costs depending on the institution, level of program, and location. Generally, undergraduate tuition fees range between $20,000 and $40,000 per year. Postgraduate tuition ranges from $20,000 to $45,000 for masters and $28,000 to $55,000 for PhD The average cost of tuition fees at private universities for an academic year is $24,513 for out-of-state students and $11,011 for in-state residents.

Eligibility Criteria

The Obama Foundation Scholarship 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
• Are fluent in English (verbal, written, and spoken)
• Have the ability and inclination to shape the future of their community positively.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, community orientation, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity, and resilience.
• 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.

Scholarship Benefits

The fully funded scholarship, which will run for a year, covers tuition fees for up to four courses at Columbia University. Recipients will receive a monthly stipend and a furnished studio apartment to assist with living expenses in New York City. Additionally, it includes basic medical, dental, and life insurance and air travel to and from their home country.

Application Procedure

• Visit the online portal.
• Complete the application form.
• Here are the documents required while applying for the Obama Foundation Scholars Program;
• Current CV
• Personal statement (video format)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Proof of English proficiency
• Responses to short essay questions
• Candidates can also be nominated by one of the foundation’s foundation’s partner agencies.

Deadline/Expiration: December 16, 2024

Find other scholarship programs currently open for application