Scholarships
2025 Obama Foundation Scholars Program in the USA | Fully Funded
2025 Obama Foundation Scholars Program in the USA | Fully Funded
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program offers emerging leaders from the United States and around the globe the chance to enhance their work through an intensive curriculum that integrates academic, skill-building, and experiential learning.
The 2025 Obama Foundation Scholarship covers monthly stipends, furnished apartments, tuition, travel, and health coverage for selected participants, enabling them to address challenges in their communities, countries, and regions.
This post will outline program details for eligible and interested applicants, as well as provide a step-by-step guide for a successful application.
Obama Foundation Scholars Program Summary
- Host Country: United States of America (USA)
- Study Location: Study in the USA
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Benefits: Full Scholarship | Monthly Stipend | Airfare | Health Insurance
- No IELTS Requirement
- Application Deadline: December 16, 2024
2025 Obama Foundation Scholars Program Details
Hosted by Columbia University through Columbia World Projects and Columbia Global, the Obama Foundation Scholars Program has opened applications for its seventh cohort. The nine-month immersive program offers academic, skill-building, and hands-on learning for emerging leaders from around the world.
The program provides a comprehensive curriculum focused on leadership development, training, networking, and tailored support. Throughout the academic year, Obama Scholars gain practical skills, tools, and experiences to expand the impact of their work upon returning to their communities.
Scholars benefit from insights shared by high-level leaders across various sectors and from the extensive Obama Foundation network, allowing them to plan how to reinvest their newly gained skills, networks, and knowledge in their communities after completing the program.
2025 Obama Foundation Scholarship Requirements
The Obama Foundation Scholarship Program at Columbia University seeks applicants who:
- Are emerging leaders with significant contributions in their field and at a key “breakthrough moment” in their careers
- Show a strong commitment to service and leadership within a community, region, or country and intend to apply their enhanced training, skills, and connections long-term for the benefit of their communities after completing the program
- Are proficient in English (speaking, reading, and writing)
- Demonstrate the ability and motivation to positively shape their communities’ future
- Show a dedication to inclusivity, community focus, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity, and resilience
Obama Foundation Scholars Program Duration and Benefits
Program Duration: One year
Scholarship Benefits Include:
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses in New York City
- Furnished studio apartment near Columbia University
- Coverage of all tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University
- Basic medical, dental, and life insurance for the program’s duration
- Round-trip airfare to and from the home country, as well as travel for any program-related activities
- Leadership development programming conducted by the Obama Foundation to equip scholars with practical skills and experiences to expand the impact of their work upon returning home
Required Documents for Obama Foundation Scholars Program
Applicants should be prepared to submit the following:
- Resume/CV
- Personal video statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Responses to short essay questions
- Proof of English proficiency
How To Apply for the 2025 Obama Foundation Scholars Program (Step-by-Step)
To apply, interested candidates should follow the link provided below.
Applicants can also be nominated by one of the Foundation’s partner organizations. The deadline to submit an application for the 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Scholars Program is December 16 at 5 PM EST.
Best of Luck!
