For emerging leaders who have already demonstrated a commitment to solving challenges in their communities, the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University offers a transformative opportunity. This fully-funded, nine-month residency brings together rising stars from the United States and around the world, equipping them with the tools, networks, and perspectives needed to accelerate their impact .
Unlike traditional scholarships that focus solely on academic achievement, this program seeks something different. It looks for individuals at what the selection committee calls a “breakthrough moment” in their careers, people who have already made meaningful contributions and are now ready to take their work to the next level -4. If you are a leader with a track record of service and a vision for greater impact, this program was designed with you in mind.
What the Program Offers
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is based at Columbia World Projects, an initiative that mobilizes the university’s researchers and scholars to work with governments, organizations, and communities on tangible solutions to real-world issues -5. Scholars participate in an immersive curriculum that blends academic learning with practical skill development.
A cornerstone of the experience is the weekly Global Challenges Seminar, which runs throughout the academic year. Here, scholars dive deep into the forces reshaping our world, from rising inequality and technological disruption to climate change and shifting power dynamics -1. This weekly dialogue transforms complex global trends into actionable insights that scholars can apply directly to their work.
Beyond the seminar, scholars can enroll in up to two graduate-level courses per semester at Columbia, tailoring their academic experience to their specific goals -1. They also participate in intensive Leadership in Action workshops that build essential skills: compelling public speaking, data-driven decision-making, conflict resolution, and resilient leadership -1.
Each scholar partners with a Columbia faculty adviser selected for their subject matter expertise. These partnerships spark new insights and approaches that scholars can immediately apply to their initiatives -1. A Thought Leadership speaker series connects scholars with pioneering practitioners from NGOs, government, and international organizations who are redefining what is possible in social impact -1.
Perhaps most distinctively, scholars engage directly with Columbia World Projects, working alongside teams that translate research into real-world solutions. This experiential learning component ensures that theory meets practice throughout the nine-month residency -1.
Comprehensive Benefits
The program covers all costs associated with the experience, making it accessible to leaders regardless of financial circumstances. Scholars receive a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses in New York City, along with a furnished studio apartment within walking distance of Columbia University -7.
All tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia are covered, as are basic medical, dental, and life insurance for the duration of the program . Round-trip air travel to and from the scholar’s home country and any program-related activities is also provided.
What the program does not cover is expenses for family members or partners. While applicants with spouses and children are welcome to apply, the housing allowance and stipend are fixed at a single scholar rate, and the program provides visa assistance only for the scholar .
Who Should Apply
The program seeks rising leaders from the United States and around the world who meet specific criteria . Candidates should be emerging leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their field and are now at a breakthrough moment in their careers. They must have a proven commitment to service and leadership within a community, region, or country, coupled with a demonstrated intention to return to these communities after the program and apply their enhanced skills on a long-term basis.
Fluency in English is required, as scholars must be able to read complex texts, work in teams, give presentations, draft reports, understand academic lectures, and engage in classroom discussions . For applicants whose native language is not English, proof of proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test is required, with minimum scores of 100 on TOEFL iBT, 7.0 on IELTS, or 120 on Duolingo .
The program values certain qualities in candidates: a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, community orientation, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity, and resilience . Importantly, the program is non-partisan and non-political, and applicants who are running campaigns for public office during the program term are not eligible .
Since its launch in 2018, the program has welcomed 82 rising leaders from 60 countries . Scholars have ranged in age from 24 to 45, with an average age of 33, and have come from diverse fields including strengthening governance, increasing access to healthcare, environmental sustainability, and promoting women’s rights .
The Application Process
A complete application includes several components submitted entirely online through the program’s application system . Candidates must provide a chronological resume or curriculum vitae listing employment history, academic history, and significant activities including awards, publications, or other achievements.
A distinctive requirement is the personal video statement, a short video no longer than three minutes introducing the applicant and their work to the selection committee. This video is uploaded to a hosting service like YouTube or Vimeo, with a link provided in the application.
Applicants also respond to short essay questions that help the selection committee understand their work, their motivation, and how the program fits into their career trajectory . Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work in academic, professional, or community service settings. Recommendations should not be written by family members or friends.
For the 2025-2026 cohort, applications closed in December 2025. The 2026-2027 application is expected to become available in fall 2026, and interested individuals can sign up for the Columbia World Projects newsletter to receive notifications.
Beyond the Program
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is not just about nine months of learning. It is about catalyzing decades of change . Upon completing the program, scholars return to their communities equipped with new tools, perspectives, and a powerful global network.
They become part of the Obama Leadership Network, the growing community of alumni from across the Obama Foundation’s leadership programs . This network strengthens connections with the Foundation and each other, supports continued leadership development, fosters community building, and catalyzes collaborations on timely global issues.
The program’s purpose is clear: to help scholars take the connections and skills they acquire and apply them for the benefit of their communities, countries, and regions . As Wafaa El-Sadr, Executive Vice President of Columbia Global, puts it, “The need for innovative, determined leaders has never been greater. These Scholars represent the kind of thinkers and doers who are essential for navigating and addressing complex issues by bringing fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place” .
For emerging leaders ready to accelerate their impact, the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with a global community of changemakers.
Conclusion
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University occupies a unique space in the landscape of leadership development. It is not a traditional scholarship focused on academic credentials alone. It is not a fellowship that simply funds existing projects. It is an intensive, immersive experience designed for leaders at a specific moment in their trajectories: the moment when past achievement meets future potential, and the question becomes not whether you can make a difference, but how much larger that difference can become.
What makes this program distinctive is its refusal to separate learning from doing. Scholars do not spend nine months in classrooms absorbing theory that may or may not prove useful. They engage directly with Columbia World Projects, working alongside teams that translate research into real-world solutions. They partner with faculty advisers who help them apply new insights to their ongoing work. They build skills in workshops designed for immediate application, not abstract understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a degree program?
No, the Obama Foundation Scholars Program is not a degree program. Scholars participate in academic courses and receive a certificate of completion, but they do not earn a master’s degree or other formal credential. The value lies in the leadership development, skill-building, networking, and access to Columbia’s resources, not in earning another academic qualification.
What is the difference between this and the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Chicago?
The Obama Foundation has two distinct Scholars Programs at two different universities. The Columbia University program focuses on global challenges and is based at Columbia World Projects. The University of Chicago program has a different curriculum and focus. Both are prestigious but have separate application processes, requirements, and cohorts. You cannot apply to both simultaneously, so research each carefully to determine which better fits your goals.
Can I apply if I am already enrolled in a graduate program?
Generally, no. The program requires full-time commitment for nine months in New York. If you are currently enrolled in another graduate program, you would need to interrupt or complete those studies before participating. The program is designed for individuals who can dedicate themselves fully to the experience, not those juggling other academic commitments.
Do I need a university degree to apply?
The program does not explicitly require a bachelor’s degree, but most successful applicants have significant educational attainment. Given the academic nature of the experience, including graduate-level coursework, applicants without a degree would need to demonstrate exceptional professional experience and intellectual readiness to engage with Columbia’s academic environment.
What does “breakthrough moment” mean in practice?
A breakthrough moment refers to a point in your career where you have already demonstrated meaningful impact but are poised to scale that impact significantly. You might have founded a successful community organization that now needs to expand regionally. You might have developed an innovative approach to a social problem that could be replicated elsewhere. You might be transitioning from direct service to policy work. The program seeks people who are ready to take their work to the next level, not those just starting out or those already at the top of their fields.
How competitive is this program?
Extremely competitive. With only around fifteen to twenty scholars selected each year from a global pool of thousands of applicants, the acceptance rate is very low. However, competitiveness should not discourage you if you genuinely fit the profile. The program seeks specific qualities and a specific career stage, not simply the most accomplished applicants. Focus on authentic self-presentation rather than worrying about the odds.