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Obama Foundation Scholars Program
Obama Foundation in partnership with University of Chicago (Harris, Crown Family School, Booth) · Leadership Development Programme (not a tuition scholarship)
See deadline note
Leadership Development Programme (not a tuition scholarship)
1 academic year (final year of Master's at UChicago)
Scholarship Info
- Provider Obama Foundation in partnership with University of Chicago (Harris, Crown Family School, Booth)
- Type Leadership Development Programme (not a tuition scholarship)
- Duration 1 academic year (final year of Master's at UChicago)
- Renewable No
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Coverage
- ✓ Obama Foundation leadership development curriculum
- ✓ Access to global Obama Scholars network
- ✓ Skills-based and experiential learning
- ✓ Personalised support and mentorship
- ✓ Community-engaged programming on Chicago's South Side
- ✓ Note: tuition and living expenses are NOT covered
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Deadline See note below
Not a direct-apply scholarship for external students. Must first be admitted to Harris, Crown Family School, or Booth at UChicago (priority deadline 30 April for autumn entry), then apply for Obama Scholars selection during final year. 2026-27 UChicago applications currently closed — monitor for 2027-28 opening.
- Notification Announced annually — check official page
Overview
Important update: The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Chicago has changed significantly since this page was first published. It is no longer a standalone scholarship that external applicants from Nepal can apply to directly for a Master's degree. The programme now selects scholars from students already enrolled in a final-year Master's programme at one of three University of Chicago schools. The University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program is a joint initiative of the Obama Foundation and three UChicago schools — the Harris School of Public Policy, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, and the Booth School of Business. It is an enrichment and leadership development programme layered on top of an existing Master's degree, not a scholarship that funds the degree itself. Selected scholars receive access to Obama Foundation leadership programming, a global network of emerging leaders, skills-based and experiential learning, and personalised support — alongside their regular Master's coursework at UChicago. The programme has a particular focus on community-engaged work on Chicago's South Side and connecting local impact to global solutions. For Nepali students, the pathway to this programme is: gain admission to a Master's programme at Harris, Crown Family School, or Booth, fund or partially fund that degree through other means, and then apply for the Obama Scholars selection during your final year of study.Eligibility
- Currently enrolled in the final year of a Master's programme at one of three University of Chicago schools:
- Harris School of Public Policy
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
- Booth School of Business
- Demonstrates a proven commitment to service and social change — in civil society, government, private sector, or as an entrepreneur
- At a breakthrough point in their leadership journey with clear potential to tackle pressing community challenges
- Open to all nationalities — no country restrictions
- Not currently running for public office — the Obama Foundation's 501(c)(3) status prohibits partisan political activity
What the Programme Looks For
The programme explicitly welcomes diverse backgrounds across race, ethnicity, spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and lived experience. Cohorts are built with scholars from different nationalities, sectors, issues of focus, and leadership levels.Who is Not Eligible
- External applicants not yet enrolled at the University of Chicago — you must first gain admission to a qualifying Master's programme
- Students at UChicago schools other than Harris, Crown Family School, or Booth
- Candidates running for public office during the programme term
- Students not in the final year of their Master's programme
How to Apply
The pathway for Nepali students is a two-stage process — first gaining admission to UChicago, then applying for the Obama Scholars selection.Stage 1: Gain admission to a qualifying UChicago Master's programme
- Apply to the Harris School of Public Policy, Crown Family School of Social Work, or Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Priority admission deadline for autumn 2026 entry is 30 April 2026.
- Research and apply for financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships available through Harris, Crown Family School, or Booth to fund your degree — the Obama Scholars programme does not cover tuition.
Stage 2: Apply for the Obama Scholars Programme
- During your final year of your Master's programme at UChicago, apply for the Obama Foundation Scholars selection through the UChicago Obama Scholars portal.
- A complete application includes materials submitted entirely online — specific requirements are posted on the Harris and Obama Foundation websites when each cycle opens.
- The 2026-27 UChicago Obama Scholars application is currently closed. Monitor the official page for the 2027-28 cycle opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
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