The Obama Foundation Leaders Program is an eight-month, global virtual leadership development journey for changemakers aged 24 to 45 across Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States. It is free to all participants, and the final deadline is 4 December 2026 at 12:00 PM US Central Time, with a priority deadline on 23 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official programme pages and FAQs so that the eligibility rules, regional cohorts and commitments are in one place.
The Leaders Program at a Glance
🏛️ Organiser: Obama Foundation
💻 Format: Virtual leadership development programme with separate regional cohorts
⏱️ Time commitment: An average of 8 to 12 hours per month
👤 Age: 24 to 45 years old on 1 September 2027
🗓️ Programme dates: Scheduled to begin the week of 1 September 2027 and to conclude no later than 1 May 2028, with planned breaks. Exact dates are subject to change
🆓 Cost: No fees for selected participants
🗣️ Language: Professional proficiency in English
What the Programme Is About
The programme brings together diverse cohorts of leaders to collaborate, share insights and strengthen their values-based leadership. It supports changemakers from the public, private and civil society sectors to deepen their impact, explore values-based leadership and drive lasting systems-level change.
Participants explore the challenges, opportunities and skills needed to create positive change. Through virtual group sessions, collaborative peer-led spaces and individualized coaching, the programme builds a values-driven foundation for sustained leadership. More calls like this are listed in the Fellowships section on Youth Works Hub. You can compare this route with other programme types in our guide to what a fellowship is and how it differs from a scholarship.
Four Regional Programmes
Applications are accepted for four regional programmes. Each runs as its own cohort, and you may submit an application for only one programme.
🌍 Leaders Africa: Described on the main programme page as a six-month virtual leadership development programme that builds a growing network of innovative and values-based changemakers
🌏 Leaders Asia-Pacific: Described on the main programme page as an eight-month hybrid leadership programme that helps leaders advance inclusive and lasting change in their communities, in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world
🌐 Leaders Europe: An eight-month virtual leadership development programme that seeks to inspire, empower and connect leaders to advance inclusive and lasting change across Europe and the world
🗽 Leaders USA: An eight-month virtual leadership development programme that seeks to inspire, empower and connect leaders across the country
The general FAQ describes the programme as eight months long, and the main page describes the Africa programme as six months, so check the Africa page for its exact format.
Who Should Apply
🎯 You have a clear issue of focus and can describe or measure your impact
🧑💼 You hold a leadership position in your changemaking work, full-time or volunteer, with no leadership rank or title requirement
⚖️ You show a deeply ethical, values-based, equitable and collaborative approach to leadership
🤲 You are willing to learn from and share with other Leaders in a group setting
Eligibility Requirements
📆 Age: You will be between 24 and 45 years of age on 1 September 2027
🏠 Residence: You must live in the region for the duration of the programme
🛠️ Experience: You can demonstrate at least 3 years of relevant experience in your issue area
🗺️ Geographic focus: Your work focuses on creating positive change for local communities, an eligible nation or territory and/or the broader region, and you show a strong commitment to keep your work there
🔤 Language: You are professionally proficient in English
🕒 Commitment: You can commit to the full eight-month programme and attend 8 to 12 hours of required virtual programming each month, plus required leadership coaching sessions and community group discussions
🗳️ Political campaigns: You will refrain from taking part in an electoral campaign as a candidate for political office from the time you are accepted through 1 May 2028
🌐 Jurisdiction: The Foundation is based in the United States, so you must be under no legal or regulatory restrictions that would limit participation in virtual programming or travel to the US for in-person programming, if any
Citizenship and Residency Rules
You must be living in the region for the duration of the programme and meet one of these criteria:
🛂 Citizen of an eligible country
🪪 Permanent resident of an eligible country
🤝 A refugee or asylum seeker in an eligible nation or territory
📍 You have lived in an eligible country for at least the last 5 years, regardless of citizenship or permanent residence status
Citizens or permanent residents who currently live outside the region are not eligible. For example, applicants who currently reside outside of Europe cannot apply to Leaders Europe.
Which Countries Are Part of Each Region
🌍 Africa: All nations and territories on or in the continent
🌐 Europe: Any of the 46 Council of Europe member states and Kosovo
🌏 Asia-Pacific: American Samoa; Aotearoa New Zealand; 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; Macao; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mongolia; Myanmar; Naoero, Republic of; New Caledonia; 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
🗽 United States: The United States
What the Programme Includes
📚 Practical tools and training: For deepening values-based leadership
🪞 Reflection spaces: Curated spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers
💬 Conversations with thought leaders: Shared with the cohort
🎭 Cultural programming: Events that showcase the richness of diversity in the region
🧑🏫 Individualized leadership coaching: Each Leader is paired with a certified leadership coach to articulate, anchor and use their core values to lead themselves and others
How the Sessions Work
Each regional programme meets virtually over Zoom for an average of four times per month, and sessions range from about 1 to 3 hours. For Leaders Europe, sessions are primarily held on Wednesdays beginning at 6:00 PM Central European Time (GMT+2).
📆 Weekly group learning sessions: Virtual sessions with subject-matter experts, practitioners and thought leaders, using interactive methods that foster peer learning and reflection
👥 Monthly community groups: Small peer-learning groups facilitated by programme alumni, meeting once a month
🎓 Coaching: One to two hours of coaching per month
🗨️ Community group discussions: Three to four hours over the course of the programme term
In total, Leaders can expect to dedicate an average of 8 to 12 hours per month.
Attendance and In-Person Meetings
Participants should not miss more than four sessions over the eight-month programme to keep their status as an Obama Leader. The 2027-2028 programme will be delivered virtually. The Foundation is also exploring an in-person graduation at the end of the programme term, with details to be shared if it is confirmed.
Costs, Stipend and Grants
💚 Fees: Participants selected for the programme incur no fees
🚫 Stipend: Leaders are not paid a stipend
🤷 Grants for your work: The Obama Foundation does not offer grants or financial support for selected participants' work
After the Programme: The Leadership Network
Upon completion, Obama Leaders become part of the Obama Foundation's Leadership Network, a growing community of civically active alumni developing tangible solutions to today's greatest challenges. The network is described as a global community of more than 1,800 values-driven alumni from Obama Foundation programs.
Key Dates and Application Details
🔔 Applications open: 9 November 2026
⭐ Priority deadline: 23 November 2026. Applications submitted after the priority deadline continue to be reviewed based on available space
🔒 Final deadline: 4 December 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon) US Central Time (GMT-6). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered, so account for time zones when you submit
📬 Decisions: Scheduled to be shared in July 2027, and all applicants are notified of their outcome by email
References
You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of two references when you submit your application. The Foundation contacts these references directly. Outside of this process, reference letters are neither required nor accepted.
Who Can Apply Again and Who Cannot
♻️ Reapplying: Applicants who were not selected in previous years are welcome to apply again if they still meet the eligibility criteria
⛔ Alumni of a Leaders programme: If you previously took part in an Obama Foundation Leaders programme in any region, you are not eligible
✅ Other Foundation programmes: If you took part in another Obama Foundation programme, such as Voyagers or Scholars, you are welcome to apply
Questions About Your Profile
🎓 Education: There is no education requirement for admission
🌾 Rural work: Applicants from all settings, including small, rural communities, are welcome
💼 Full-time work: Your changemaking work does not have to be your full-time profession, as long as you have a clear issue area of focus and can show your impact
What You Need to Take Part
You need access to a computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection to take part fully. Questions about accessibility can be sent to the contact email below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028?
Leaders aged 24 to 45 on 1 September 2027 who live in Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe or the United States, have at least 3 years of relevant experience in their issue area, hold a leadership position in their changemaking work and are professionally proficient in English.
Does the programme cost anything?
No. Selected participants pay no fees. However, there is no stipend, and the Foundation does not offer grants or financial support for participants' work.
Can I apply to more than one regional programme?
No. Even if you meet the criteria for several programmes, you may submit an application for only one.
Do I need to live in the region?
Yes. You must currently live in an eligible nation or territory of the region and stay there for the duration of the programme. Citizens or permanent residents who live outside the region are not eligible.
How much time does the programme take?
An average of 8 to 12 hours per month, including weekly sessions, one to two hours of coaching per month and three to four hours of community group discussions over the programme term.
How many sessions can I miss?
No more than four sessions over the eight-month programme if you want to keep your status as an Obama Leader.
Do I need a degree?
No. There is no education requirement for admission.
When will I hear back?
Application decisions are scheduled to be shared in July 2027, and all applicants are notified by email.
Deadline
⏳ 04 December 2026
Links
📝 Apply: https://thebarackobamafoundation.submittable.com/submit
ℹ️ Programme page: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/
🌐 Leaders Europe: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/europe/
🌍 Leaders Africa: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/africa/
🌏 Leaders Asia-Pacific: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/asia-pacific/
🗽 Leaders USA: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/usa/
📧 Contact for questions: globalleaders@obama.org
