The Obama Foundation Fellowship supports outstanding civic innovators – leaders who are working with their communities to create transformational change, addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems. The program selects 20 community-minded rising stars from around the world for a two-year, non-residential program, designed to amplify the impact of their work and inspire a wave of civic innovation.
The Obama Foundation Fellows are a diverse set of leaders who bring a community-centered approach to science, criminal justice, healthcare, education, the arts, and more. Together they model the powerful truth that each of us has a role to play in civic life.
The two-year, non-residential Obama Fellowship offers hands-on training, resources, and leadership development to help Fellows scale the impact of their work. Fellows participate in four multi-day gatherings where they collaborate with each other, connect with potential partners, and collectively push their work forward. Throughout the program, each Fellow pursues a personalized plan to leverage the Fellowship experience to take their work to the next level.
Obama Foundation Fellowship Eligibility.
- Open to civic leaders around the world who are doing civic work – working alongside others in their community to address a public problem and contribute to the common good.
- Applicants must be 18 or older. They’re looking for participants who are at a “tipping point” stage in their careers, rather than those who fit a particular age requirement.
- Fellows must be fluent in spoken and written English as all programming is conducted in English.
- The Obama Foundation is a non-partisan, non-political entity. As such, we’re looking for Fellows who bring a diverse set of political opinions and perspectives to the program.
- They select individuals, not groups or pairs, to participate in the program.
They’re searching for candidates who are civic innovators, discipline-diverse, at a tipping point in their work, not yet connected to the networks they need to advance their work, and motivated by the powerful desire to help others.
Your are NOT eligible if you are:
- Under 18
- Current participants in other Obama Foundation programming
- Candidates for a political office chosen through a partisan election, either now or during the Fellowship term
- Working for 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) organizations
Obama Foundation Fellowship Requirements.
The Fellowship is not a full-time commitment, but active and engaged participation is key to creating a meaningful Fellowship experience. Fellows commit to:
- Participating in the full programming of the four Fellowship gatherings
- Devoting a few hours each month to ongoing training and programming
- Sharing responsibility for creating a supportive, collaborative community of Fellows
- Collaborating with the Foundation throughout the Fellowship to evaluate and refine the program for future classes
- Contributing their leadership, creativity, and voice to other Foundation programs. They’re looking for Fellows who are eager to explore the roles they can play in the broader ecosystem of the Foundation — whether serving as mentors, facilitating local trainings, or writing about their work for a wider audience.
Obama Foundation Fellowship Criteria.
- Civic innovators: Fellows are working alongside their communities to solve important public problems in creative and meaningful ways. Living out the Foundation’s values of Imagination and Fearlessness, Fellows are bringing bold ideas to bear on the most pressing problems we face. By engaging their communities in this work, they create stronger and more sustainable solutions.
- Discipline diverse: As organizers, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, and more, Fellows illustrate the power of drawing upon diverse talents and approaches to drive meaningful change. The Fellowship provides a space for leaders across disciplines to learn from one another, ultimately making their own work more impactful.
- At a tipping point in their work: Fellows have already demonstrated direct and meaningful impact in their communities, gaining recognition among their peers for their contributions. Now, they stand at a breakthrough moment in their careers. They’re poised to use the Fellowship to significantly advance their work, perhaps by launching new platforms, expanding their footprint, establishing models that others can adopt, or shifting the national or global conversation on a topic.
- Talented, but not connected:The Foundation is committed to expanding the circle of opportunity to include new and varied voices. The Fellowship is designed to support leaders who have not already benefited from prestigious opportunities or global attention. They’re excited to lift up civic innovators who are not currently connected to the networks and resources they need to advance their work.
- Good humans: Fellows demonstrate the values of the Obama Foundation and are eager to participate in the Fellowship community now and in the future. By bringing strong personal values to the cohort, Fellows build an authentic, inclusive, and collaborative community that provides lasting value.
They encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for this opportunity.
Obama Foundation Fellowship Benefits.
- Guidance in developing a personalized Fellowship roadmap to help you get the most out of the program
- Ongoing skill-building and training courses tailored to your particular needs
- Individual coaching and mentoring to help you move your work forward
- Participation in a global cohort of leaders poised to change the civic engagement landscape
- Exposure to opportunities provided by other Foundation programming, such as mentorship roles and speaking engagements
- Participation in four gatherings (including economy airfare to/from the event, lodging, and all meals during the events)
The Foundation covers transportation and accommodation for the in-person convenings. While they can provide support in procuring visas, Fellows are responsible for covering any visa costs.
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How to Apply for Obama Foundation Fellowship.
Application Tips:
- Keep it brief and real: They’ve kept application fields short in order to encourage answers that are straightforward and authentic. They’re looking for writing that distills what’s important to you.
- Don’t be afraid to brag: While it can feel uncomfortable to put yourself in the spotlight, they need to know why you are the right candidate for the Fellowship. They want to hear about your work, your impact, and your personal connection to your community.
Apply Before: 18th September, 2018.
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