Fellowships
The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service is for any current sophomore who shares a curiosity about addressing the big challenges of an increasingly globalized world and the conviction to make positive change. Interested students should have a passion for helping others, experience serving in or building community, and an expansive view of what’s possible through public service.
- What’s provided: financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, provide meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support various program components that provide up to $50,000 in financial aid.
- Location: Global
- Field of Study/Work/Focus Area/Industry: All
- Program Type: Cohort, travel, experiential learning, funding for college debt
- Duration: Summer Voyage, 10-Year Travel Stipend, Fall Summit
Eligibility
- Current sophomores, entering their junior year of college (at the time of the voyage) at an accredited four-year college or university in the US
- Demonstrated financial need
- US citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients
Timeline
| Application launch | January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application advising | January 26, 2026 to March 16, 2026 |
| National deadline | March 17, 2026, 11:59PM CT |
How to Apply
The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship application requires the following:
- Demographic and academic information
- Work, public service, and leadership program experiences
- Information related to financial need
- Responses to 8 short answer questions, including a brief proposal for your intended “Summer Voyage”
- A 1-2 video in response to the prompt: “What motivates you and drives your change making work?”
- An official transcript
Students must submit their completed application via the Obama-Chesky Voyager online application system no later than the national deadline, which is 11:59pm CT on March 17, 2026.
For one-on-one support with this fellowship, sign up for open hours.