The Obama Foundation Scholars Program
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University 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 and countries. Scholars complete a fully-funded 9-month residency on campus at Columbia World Projects, deepening their knowledge and skills, and building new capacities and networks to accelerate their impact.
Scholars participate in a robust, immersive program that includes networking, guidance from Columbia faculty advisers, and values-based leadership development, among other activities. These experiences enable the Scholars to learn from some of the world’s most innovative leaders and build connections with the Obama Foundation and Columbia University.
Obama Foundation Scholars reside at Columbia World Projects (CWP), an initiative that mobilizes the university’s researchers and scholars to work with governments, organizations, businesses and communities to tackle global challenges. Scholars participate in CWP activities during the academic year. The program is central to CWP’s mission of putting Columbia research into action by training the next generation of global leaders to bring about worldwide change.
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. The purpose of the program is to help Obama Foundation Scholars take the connections and skills they acquire during the program and apply them for the benefit of their communities, countries, and regions. Obama Foundation Scholars are expected to remain engaged with the Obama Foundation and Columbia World Projects after the conclusion of the program.
The deadline to submit an application for the 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Scholars Program is December 12, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET.