Home›Scholarships›Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States)
🌐
Obama Foundation Leaders Program
by The Obama Foundation
🕐 Last updated: 2026-09-17
💛 Non-monetary (program participation is free; no tuition or stipend)🟩 Active🎓 Professional / Non-degree🌍 Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States)📌 Leadership Development Program (non-degree)
6 months (Africa, virtual) to 8 months (Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States, hybrid/virtual)
Deadline
—
Level
Professional / Non-degree
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
—
Quick Summary
Obama Foundation Leaders Program, administered by The Obama Foundation, is one of the funding options available to emerging leaders aged 24-45 in the public, private, and civil society sectors in Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States). The award covers the program itself is free to participants and centers on virtual group sessions, peer-led collaborative spaces, and individualized coaching rather than direct financial support such as tuition or a stipend. Selected Leaders also join a global community of alumni who have gone through the program since it launched in Africa in 2018 and later expanded to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. and is open to professional / non-degree students studying civic leadership, public service, social impact. The scholarship runs for 6 months (africa, virtual) to 8 months (asia-pacific, europe, and united states, hybrid/virtual). Eligibility is generally based on the program is open to changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from the public, private, and civil society sectors who can show a track record of driving positive change in their community or field. Each of the four regional programs (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States) has its own eligibility page and FAQ with region-specific residency requirements. The application deadline is announced annually on the official scholarship page. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for Obama Foundation Leaders Program?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
6/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
See details
⏳
Duration
6 months (Africa, virtual) to 8 months (Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States, hybrid/virtual)
📅
Deadline
—
📚
Fields
Civic leadership, public service, social impact
🏆
Awards/Year
24 participants per regional cohort
🌏
Study Country
Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States)
🏛️
Provider
The Obama Foundation
📊
Acceptance
—
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is a values-based leadership development program for changemakers aged 24 to 45 working in the public, private, or civil society sectors across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. Each regional cohort is capped at 24 participants who take part in virtual or hybrid sessions, peer learning, and individualized coaching designed to deepen their leadership practice and connect them to a global alumni network that has grown to nearly 1,000 leaders since the program launched in Africa in 2018.
👥 Who Should Apply
The program is open to changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from the public, private, and civil society sectors who can show a track record of driving positive change in their community or field. Each of the four regional programs (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States) has its own eligibility page and FAQ with region-specific residency requirements.
📚 Fields of Study
Civic leadership, public service, social impact
✨ Key Benefits
The program itself is free to participants and centers on virtual group sessions, peer-led collaborative spaces, and individualized coaching rather than direct financial support such as tuition or a stipend. Selected Leaders also join a global community of alumni who have gone through the program since it launched in Africa in 2018 and later expanded to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States.
🎯 Target Students
Emerging leaders aged 24-45 in the public, private, and civil society sectors
✈️ Travel: No🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: No🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: No
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No
🏠 Living Stipend
No
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
No
💊 Health Insurance
No
🎁 Other Benefits
Individualized leadership coaching, peer-led collaborative learning spaces, and membership in the global Obama Foundation Leaders alumni network
🔄 Renewable
No
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must be 24 to 45 years old and a citizen or resident of a country within the specific regional program (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, or the United States), with a demonstrated record of leadership in their community or field.
🎓 Academic Level
Professional / Non-degree
🍢 Age Limit
24 to 45 years old
💼 Work Experience
None required
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated track record of community or civic leadership impact
💰 Financial Need
Not a selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
Emerging leaders aged 24-45 in the public, private, and civil society sectors
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes
Rec Letters
2 letters
Interview
Check website
Application Fee
No
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
📋 Application Process
Apply through the specific regional program page (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, or USA) since each has its own FAQ and eligibility nuances, and applications for a given cohort open only once a year, historically around November. Review the specific regional page's past cohort profiles before applying, since selection criteria are calibrated somewhat differently by region even though the overall programme structure is shared.
💡 Insider Tip: Since selection emphasizes demonstrated impact over credentials, use the application to describe concrete outcomes of your leadership work rather than titles or affiliations alone. Because the programme is unfunded (no tuition or stipend), budget separately for any travel or time-away-from-work costs tied to the in-person components of your regional cohort.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Check website
⏰ Deadline
Check website
🎤 Interview
Check website
🎓 Study Starts
September/October
Check website
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Check website
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Check website
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September/October
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Age eligibility, regional residency/citizenship, demonstrated leadership impact, alignment with program values
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Obama Foundation Leaders ProgramCurrent
Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States)
Non-monetary (program participation is free; no tuition or stipend)
Professional / Non-degree
—
🇱🇹 Vilnius University Scholarship for International Students
The program is open to changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from the public, private, and civil society sectors who can show a track record of driving positive change in their community or field. Each of the four regional programs (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and United States) has its own eligibility page and FAQ with region-specific residency requirements.
The program itself is free to participants and centers on virtual group sessions, peer-led collaborative spaces, and individualized coaching rather than direct financial support such as tuition or a stipend. Selected Leaders also join a global community of alumni who have gone through the program since it launched in Africa in 2018 and later expanded to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
Application deadlines vary by year. Check the official scholarship website for current cycle dates.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, 2 letters recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.