Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028: Eligibility, Dates

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027: Dates, Apply

Facts checked: against the official notice at thebarackobamafoundation.submittable.com on 10 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Applications for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028 close on December 4, 2026. The Obama Foundation offers this fellowship for changemakers leading community-focused change in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States. Applications are submitted online via the official Submittable portal.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027: Overview

The Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028 is a fellowship for people already doing community change work in four regional cohorts.

It is run by the Obama Foundation for changemakers whose work is tied to a local community, an eligible nation or territory, or the broader region, with a stated commitment to continue working there. The programme groups applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States, rather than running a single global pool.

What this means if you are applying from India

If you live in India, you would come under the Asia-Pacific grouping. That alone does not confirm eligibility. As per the official notification, you must reside in an eligible country in your region and also satisfy the citizenship or residency condition, so check the eligible-country list on the official website before you start writing responses.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible only if you meet the age, location, focus-of-work and experience conditions together.

• Changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and United States regions
• Residing in an eligible country in those regions and meeting one: citizen of eligible country/territory OR permanent resident OR lived there at least last 5 years
• Work geographically focused on creating positive change for local communities, an eligible nation/territory and/or broader region with commitment to continue in region
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in issue area

The age band is 24 to 45 years. The location rule has two parts: you must reside in an eligible country in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe or the United States, and you must also meet one status condition for that place — being a citizen, being a permanent resident, or having lived there for at least the last five years. People who moved recently for study or work without one of those ties do not meet this test.

Work focus and experience

Your work must be geographically focused on creating positive change for local communities, an eligible nation or territory, and/or the broader region, with a commitment to continue in that region. As per the official notification, you also need at least three years of relevant experience in your issue area, so recent graduates without that track record cannot use this cycle.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 Important Dates and Deadline

The application window for this cycle opened in November 2026 and closes at midday United States Central Time.

The table below lists the opening and closing timestamps as per the official notification. The closing time is fixed at 12:00 PM United States Central Time (GMT-6) and is enforced by the submission portal, not by your local time zone. That midday cutoff in the US is evening time in India and other parts of Asia-Pacific, so confirm the conversion for your city.

Video uploads and reference details often take longer than expected, so complete those sections before the final day rather than editing written responses at the end.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 Documents Required

You need four sets of material: a resume, written answers, two videos and details of two referees.

• Resume / CV detailing work experience, leadership history and key achievements
• Five or six short written responses (50 to 250 words each) about leadership journey
• Two short videos of up to 2 minutes each (MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG)
• Names, email addresses and affiliations of two references

The resume or CV should trace work experience, leadership history and key achievements, not just job titles. The five or six short written answers are each 50 to 250 words and centre on your leadership journey, so keep each answer to one example with a concrete outcome.

Videos and references

Each of the two videos can be up to 2 minutes and must be in MKV, MOV, MP4 or MPEG format. Record in a quiet setting, keep the file size within portal limits and label files clearly. For references, you only enter names, email addresses and affiliations at this stage — you do not upload letters — so confirm spelling, current affiliation and willingness to respond before you submit.

How to Apply for Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027

The application is submitted online only. Keep your resume, written drafts, video files and referee details ready before you open the form.

1. Visit the official website to access the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028 application.
2. Open the application for your region — Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe or United States — and read the on-screen instructions.
3. Enter your personal details, residence and background exactly as they relate to the eligibility conditions.
4. Upload your resume or CV detailing work experience, leadership history and key achievements.
5. Write and paste your five or six short responses, keeping each within 50 to 250 words.
6. Upload your two short videos of up to 2 minutes each in an accepted format.
7. Add the names, email addresses and affiliations of your two references, review all entries and submit.

Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 Important Links

All applications go through the Foundation's Submittable page for this cycle.

The table below carries the application link as per the official notification. Use apply online to reach the same portal from here, and read the guidance notes shown alongside the form for region-wise instructions. Refer to the official notification if any link does not open, rather than using a third-party application copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027–2028?

The Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028 is a global leadership fellowship run by the Obama Foundation for changemakers working on community change in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States.

What is the eligibility for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 applications?

Applicants must be 24 to 45 years old from the Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and United States regions who reside in an eligible country and meet the citizenship, permanent residency or 5-year residence requirement, with geographically focused change work and at least 3 years of relevant experience.

Are the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027 applications open?

Online applications opened on November 9, 2026 and will close on December 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM United States Central Time (GMT-6).

How can I apply for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028?

Eligible changemakers can apply online through the official application portal at https://thebarackobamafoundation.submittable.com/submit before the deadline.

What documents are required for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028?

Applicants need a resume or CV detailing work experience and achievements along with five or six short written responses of 50 to 250 words each, two short videos of up to 2 minutes each in MKV, MOV, MP4 or MPEG format, and details of two references with their names, email addresses and affiliations.

What is the selection process for the Obama Foundation Leaders Program 2027-2028?

Refer to the official notification at https://thebarackobamafoundation.submittable.com/submit.