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Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2026/2027

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Obama Foundation Leaders Program

Apply for the 2026/2027 Obama Foundation Leaders Program!

The Obama Foundation Leaders Program aims to inspire, empower, and connect regional cohorts of changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities throughout their region, and across our world.

These emerging leaders from around the world forge societies and communities rooted in shared values, where all people belong, participate, and thrive.

Individuals interested in the Obama Foundation Leaders Program for Young Individuals should review the details, requirements, and application process provided below.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program Summary:

  • Scholarship Sponsor: Obama Foundation
  • Category: Training | Fellowship
  • Rewards: Full Sponsorship | Leadership Training | Networking
  • Eligibility: All Countries

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Obama Foundation Leaders Program Details:

The Obama Foundation Leaders program launched in Africa in 2018, expanded to Asia Pacific in 2019, inaugurated in Europe in 2020, and kicked off in the United States in 2023.

We recognize the power that lies in bringing together diverse cohorts of Leaders from many regions of the world, each with their own approach and focus and a commitment to joining a global network of changemakers.

Inspired by President Obama’s leadership approach, the Leaders program engages participants in the challenges, opportunities, and skills of making positive change.

Supported by full group sessions, small group discussions, and individualized leadership coaching, participants define a values-based foundation for sustained leadership, cultivate relationships with others to catalyze more inclusive, lasting change, and prepare to engage with issues at the systems level.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program Requirement:

Please be sure that you meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria:

Based in Region: You currently reside in one of the following eligible nations or territories in the region in which you are applying:

  • Africa: All nations, countries, and territories on the African continent. 
  • Asia-Pacific: American Samoa; Australia; Brunei; Cambodia; China; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; French Polynesia; Guam; Hawai`i; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Japan; Kiribati; Korea, North (DPRK); Korea, South (ROK); Laos; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mongolia; Myanmar; Nauru; New Caledonia; Macao; New Zealand; Niue; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Pitcairn Islands; Samoa; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Taiwan; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Wallis and Futuna

Please note that residents of South Asian countries are not eligible for this particular program. The Obama Foundation expects to offer leadership programs for South Asian countries in the future.

Citizenship/Residency: You must meet one of the criteria below for the region in which you are applying:

  • You are a citizen of an eligible nation or territory OR
  • You are a permanent resident of an eligible nation or territory OR
  • You are a refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible nation or territory OR
  • You have lived in an eligible nation or territory for at least the last 5 years, regardless of documentation status.

Geographic Focus: Your current and future work is geographically focused on creating positive change for your local community, an eligible nation or territory, and/or the broader region in which you are applying.

Leadership Experience: You can demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience in your issue area.

Age: You will be between 24 and 45 years old on July 15, 2025.

Language Proficiency: You are professionally proficient in English (spoken and written).

Political Campaigns: You will not be engaging in an electoral campaign for political office between February 1 and July 15, 2025.

Document Requirements for Obama Foundation Leaders Program:

While applying for the Rhodes Scholarship UK 2026, you will be required to submit the following documents;

  • At least two of the following documents to confirm that you meet the citizenship, residency and age criteria (listed above):
    i. A certified copy of your birth certificate (or an affidavit of birth)
    ii. A National Identity Card.
    iii. A valid passport (with translation, if necessary)
    iv. A voter’s card
    v. An affidavit notarised by a competent authority confirming that you are a bonafide
    citizen of your country
  • An official transcript from the college or university at which you are studying, or have studied,
    showing grades achieved (to date).
  • Evidence of residency within the region for at least five of the last ten years, for example, official school records.
  • Evidence that you meet the University of Oxford’s English language requirements:
    o For most candidates you will need to upload a copy of your test results of a
    standardised English test that is recognised by the University of Oxford (e.g. TOEFL
    /IELTS).
  • Alternatively, if you meet the University of Oxford’s criteria for a test waiver, for example
    your undergraduate degree has been taught and assessed in English, you can write and
    upload a brief letter requesting a waiver to this requirement.
  • Your letter should explain how you meet the requirements for a waiver, and include any relevant evidence.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program Rewards:

For an average of 8-12 hours per month, the program will bring together cohorts of leaders from across the regions. Participants (known as “Obama Leaders” or “Leaders”) will take part in weekly sessions that include:

  • Practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership
  • Leadership coaching
  • Community groups
  • Conversations with thought leaders
  • Cultural programming that showcases the richness of the region
  • Curated spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers

Upon completion of the program, Obama Leaders will become part of the Obama Foundation’s Leadership Network.

Duration

  • The Leaders Africa program is currently scheduled to begin the week of September 1, 2026 and will conclude no later than May 1, 2027, with planned breaks throughout.

Criteria

As described above, we aim to assemble a Leaders cohort from a pool of candidates with a range of backgrounds, identities, and experience levels.  We take all of these into consideration when deciding upon who is invited to become a Leader.

Our ideal candidates have these characteristics:

  • Possesses a clear issue of focus and can describe or measure their impact so far
  • Holds a leadership position in their changemaking work, whether full-time or volunteer
  • Demonstrates a deeply ethical, values-based, equitable, and collaborative approach to leadership
  • Demonstrates a willingness to learn from and share with other leaders in a group setting

We have learned over the years that while many candidates may possess most or all of these attributes, because of capacity limitations, we can’t enroll everyone who applies to this highly competitive program. Therefore, we try to curate a deliberate mix of participants whose perspectives and experiences will complement each other. 

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How to Apply for Obama Foundation Leaders Program:

To apply for the 2026/2027 Obama Foundation Leaders Program for Young Individuals, interested and qualified candidates should;

  • Click the link to visit the Oxford University application page.
  • After reading the criteria above, create an account and login. At the end of the application, be sure to click on EACH submit button on successive screens!
  • A PDF of the application guidelines and questions is available to download at the bottom of this page
APPLY HERE: Obama Foundation Leaders Program

Application Deadline: December 3, 2025

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