Program guide

How to apply to Obama Foundation Leaders Program

Values-based leadership program for changemakers in public, civic and private sectors across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States. Mostly virtual cohorts with group sessions, peer spaces and coaching.

Official page Listing details

Step by step

Check that you are eligibleThe published rules: Open to working professionals, founders, creators and freelancers, licensed professionals; Ages 24-45 during the program, based in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe or the US depending on the regional cohort.
Gather the materialsYou will need: Application form answers, Personal statement / SOP, Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees).
Write the answersBuild the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Submit on the official pageApply through the official page (Own portal), and keep the confirmation.
Follow upNote when results are due. If the organiser invites questions, ask once, briefly, after the date has passed.

Timeline

42 days before the deadlineAsk referees and order documentsAsk your referees, and order transcripts or score reports; these depend on other people's timelines.
28 days before the deadlineDraft the statementDraft the statement around one clear plan, with evidence from your record.
10 days before the deadlineReview and remindReview against the selection criteria; gently remind referees of the date.
2 days before the deadlineSubmit and keep the confirmationSubmit early and check that every reference shows as received.

At a glance

Organizer: Obama Foundation
Timing: Cycle: Annual; applications usually open in November for the following year's cohorts.
Where: Remote · open worldwide
What you get: six to eight month leadership curriculum · one-on-one coaching
Cost: Free to apply and take part
Applied through: Own portal
Account: You need an account on the application system

Who can apply

Open to working professionals, founders, creators and freelancers, licensed professionals
Ages 24-45 during the program, based in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe or the US depending on the regional cohort.

Materials checklist

Application form answersOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
Personal statement / SOPOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees)Upload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.

Questions you will meet, answered honestly

What will you do during the fellowship?

A specific plan with milestones, tied to what the fellowship provides.

What is your long-term goal?

Honest and specific. It's fine if it is still forming, as long as the next step is clear.

What reviewers of fellowships look for

Build the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Ask referees early and send them your statement and the selection criteria, so their letters address the same points.
Check the eligibility window (years since degree, nationality, field) before investing time.

The full playbook for fellowships

How Onward Scout helps

This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.

Let Onward Scout apply for me

Let Onward Scout prepare your Obama Foundation Leaders Program application

Get your personal statement, tailored résumé and notes for your referees for this programme, drafted from your own documents in about two minutes. Free to start, no account needed. Every answer is drafted from your own documents with sources, and nothing is submitted without your tap.

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