The Obama Foundation Scholarship for International Students offers emerging leaders from the United States and globally, who are already making a positive impact in their communities, the chance to elevate their efforts. This is achieved through a comprehensive curriculum that integrates academic learning with practical skills and hands-on experiences.
The seventh cohort of the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University, a component of Columbia World Projects and Columbia Global, has opened its application process. It welcomes aspiring leaders from across the globe to apply for a nine-month intensive program encompassing academic study, skill development, and hands-on experiential learning.
Summary of Scholarship
Host Country: United States of America (USA)
Study Destination: USA
Scholarship Types: Postgraduate | Masters
Open to: All Nationalities
Funding: Full Scholarship, Monthly Stipend, Air Travel, Medical
No IELTS Required
Application Deadline: December 12
Alerts: For Scholarship updates on WhatsApp, click HERE.
Scholarship Information:
The Obama Foundation provides a comprehensive curriculum for leadership development, training, networking activities, and tailored support throughout the academic year. This aims to assist Obama Scholars in acquiring practical skills, tools, and experiences necessary to amplify the influence of their initiatives upon their return to their home communities. The program facilitates exposure to insights from influential leaders spanning various sectors and taps into the collective knowledge of the broader Obama Foundation program participant network. Scholars are encouraged to strategically plan how they intend to reinvest their newly acquired skills, networks, and knowledge once they complete the program.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University is open to emerging leaders from the United States and worldwide who fulfill the following requirements:
- Emerging leaders who have made significant contributions to their respective fields and are currently at a pivotal “breakthrough moment” in their careers.
- Demonstrated commitment to service and leadership within a community, region, or country, with a clear intention to return to these communities post-program completion. The commitment involves applying the enhanced training, skills, and connections for the long-term benefit of these communities.
- Proficiency in English, encompassing verbal, written, and spoken communication.
- Capability and inclination to positively influence the future of their community.
- Evident commitment to values such as inclusivity, community-oriented approach, hope, courage, imagination, strategy, accountability, integrity, and resilience.
Scholarship Duration and Benefits
The scholarship spans a one-year period and includes the following provisions:
- Monthly stipend to support living expenses in New York City.
- Furnished studio apartment conveniently located within walking distance of Columbia University.
- Full coverage of tuition and fees for up to four courses at Columbia University.
- Basic medical, dental, and life insurance for the entire program duration.
- Airfare to and from the home country, as well as for any program-related activities.
- Additionally, the Obama Foundation’s leadership development programming will guide scholars in acquiring practical skills, tools, and experiences, empowering them to broaden the impact of their initiatives upon their return to their home communities.
Required Application Documents
To apply, candidates must be prepared to submit the following:
- Resume/CV
- Personal video statement.
https://worldprojects.columbia.edu/application-information