Call for Applications: Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2026 | Empowering Young Changemakers
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.
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Summary of the 2026 Obama Foundation Leaders Program
- Type: Training/Fellowships
- Host: Obama Foundation
- Duration: 9 months
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Benefits: Full Sponsorship, Leadership Training, Networking
- Deadline: December 12, 2025
Eligibility Criteria for the 2026 Obama Foundation Leaders Program
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.
- Europe: Any of the 46 Council of Europe member states and Kosovo.
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, 2026
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, 2026
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.
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Duration
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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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Application Guidelines
- Use the link provided below to apply for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program.
- After reading the criteria below, 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
Deadline: 12th December, 2025
Apply Here
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