Deadline: 12 December 2023

Registration is now open for the Obama Foundation Fellowship Programme at Columbia University 2024-2025 . The Obama Foundation Fellowship Programme 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. Fellows complete a fully-funded 9-month residency on the Columbia World Projects campus, deepening their knowledge and skills and building new capacities and networks to accelerate their impact.

Scholars participate in an immersive programme that brings together academic, skills-based and experiential learning, developed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation. The main components of the programme include: 

• A weekly seminar that lasts throughout the school year, exploring issues alongside key global trends, including inequality, technological developments, the diffusion of power, population movements and climate change. 
• Personal and professional development workshops designed to strengthen practical skills to enhance academics' leadership abilities. Past workshop topics include conflict management and resolution, public speaking, analysing and interpreting data, and resilience.
• An experiential learning component that involves academics in the work of Columbia World Projects.
• Audited courses that offer scholars the flexibility to select and enrol in up to two postgraduate courses each semester at Columbia.
• A speaker series on innovative leadership that introduces academics to experienced professionals from the NGO community, philanthropy, government and international organisations to expand academics' networks and perspectives to help advance their work.
• Partnering with a Columbia faculty advisor selected for their subject expertise to provide scholars with new insights and perspectives to inform their work.
• Significant opportunities for scholars to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus and gain exposure to different perspectives by engaging with the Columbia University community. 

Benefits

• Monthly stipend to help with living expenses in New York City.
• A furnished studio flat just a few steps from Columbia University.
• All tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University.
• Basic medical, dental and life insurance during the programme in New York City.
• Air travel to and from the country of origin and any activities related to the programme.

Eligibility

The Obama Foundation Fellowship Programme at Columbia University seeks rising leaders from the United States and around the world who meet the following criteria:

• They are emerging leaders who have made significant contributions to their field and are now at a "breakthrough moment" in their careers;
• Have a proven commitment to service and leadership within a community, region or country, along with a demonstrated commitment to return to those communities upon completion of the programme and apply their enhanced training, skills and connections over the long term for the benefit of those communities;
• They are fluent in English (verbal, written and spoken);
• Have the ability and inclination to positively shape the future of their community;
• Have a demonstrated commitment to inclusion, community orientation, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, responsibility, integrity and resilience.

Please note: priority will be given to applicants who have not enrolled at Columbia University. The scholarship is a full-time residential programme at Columbia and cannot be taken at the same time as a degree programme.

Application

A complete application, submitted entirely online, includes the following materials:

• Fill in the online application form
• CV/curriculum vitae
• Personal video statement
• Answers to short essay questions
• English proficiency test
• Two letters of recommendation

Click here to register or nominate a candidate

For more information, visit Obama Foundation Scholarship Programme .