Each year, Rotary offers up to 130 fully funded fellowships for global leaders to study at one of its peace centers.

The Rotary Peace Centers program equips peace and development professionals to drive effective change through academic training, practical experience, and global networking. Fellowships cover tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, and internship/field study costs.

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is for leaders with experience in peace and development. Each year, they offer up to 50 master’s fellowships and 80 certificate fellowships at top universities.

Since 2002, over 1,800 fellows have trained through the program and are now working in more than 140 countries, including in roles in governments, NGOs, peacekeeping, and international organizations like the UN and World Bank.

Brief Details:

• Offered by: Rotary International
• Deadline: 15 May 2025
• Duration: 
  • Master’s degree programs: 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study
  • Professional development certificate program: one-year
• Gender: Any
• Number of Opportunity:  
  • Master’s degree programs: 50 Fellowship
  • Professional development certificate program: 80 Fellowships
• Type: Fellowship
• Eligible Countries: All

About Programs:

Master’s degree programs:

The ideal applicant has a strong academic background, work experience in peace and development, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. They are searching for early-career candidates who can read and research a great deal, who can actively engage with a diverse student body, and who show a commitment to peace and conflict resolution. Selected candidates have demonstrated past successes in peacebuilding and, as a result of the fellowship, have the potential to grow and make an impact as leaders in the field going forward. Candidates ought to share their work and experiences following the program, keep in touch with fellow peace fellows in their area, and foster close relationships with Rotary members.

Professional development certificate program:

A seasoned mid-career leader in peace and development with at least five years of relevant work experience is the ideal applicant. Applicants must bring a social change project to the program that aims to advance development and peace in the program area. Additionally, they ought to have a clear idea of how the network and fellowship experience will further and amp up their peace work. Working professionals are the target audience for this program, which necessitates 11 weeks of on-site attendance. Fellows who complete the program are awarded a postgraduate diploma. Candidates should be prepared to share their work and experiences following the program, keeping in touch with local peace fellows and forging close bonds with Rotary members.

Benefits:

The fellowships cover the following:

• Tuition and fees,
• Room and board,
• Round-trip transportation, and
• Internship and field-study expenses.

Eligibilities:

Master’s Degree Program:

• Possess fluency in English
• Possess an undergraduate degree
• Possess a strong commitment to fostering peace and understanding between cultures, as demonstrated by your accomplishments in the workplace, classroom, and community.
• Possess the capacity for leadership.
• Possess a minimum of three years of relevant full-time experience working for peace or development.
• The time between the end of the applicant’s most recent academic program—undergraduate or graduate—and the intended start date of the fellowship must be at least three years. Applicants who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs right now are not eligible to apply.
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

You are not eligible if you are:

• Active rotary members
• Employees of the Rotary Club or District
• Spouses and lineal descendent

Professional development certificate program:

• Possess fluency in English
• Possess a bachelor’s degree.
• Possess a minimum of five years of relevant full-time experience working for peace or development.
• Possess a strong commitment to fostering peace and understanding between cultures, as demonstrated by your accomplishments in the workplace, classroom, and community.
• Show off your leadership abilities.
• Able to articulate how their strategy for fostering peace fits with Rotary’s mission
• Applicants to Makerere University must be from Africa, have experience working there, support African communities or initiatives abroad, or exhibit a strong desire to learn about regional peacebuilding strategies.
• Candidates to Bahçeşehir University must be from the Middle East or North Africa, have experience working there, currently work abroad with communities or projects related to these regions, or exhibit a strong desire to learn about regional peacebuilding strategies.
• The time between the end of the applicant’s most recent academic program—undergraduate or graduate—and the intended start date of the fellowship must be at least three years. Applicants who are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs right now are not eligible to apply.

You are not eligible if:

Master’s Program University Partners:

• Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (fact sheet)

Fellows can pursue a master’s degree in international development policy at Duke or a master’s degree in a variety of departments at the University of North Carolina. Additionally, they can obtain a graduate certificate in international peace and conflict resolution from UNC.

• International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan (fact sheet)

The ICU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is renowned for its interdisciplinary curriculum and liberal arts approach. Fellows pursue a master’s degree in Peace Studies as part of the Public Policy and Social Research program.

• University of Bradford, Bradford, England (fact sheet)

Bradford University has the world’s largest Division of Peace Studies and International Development, which offers a variety of master’s degrees in peace, conflict, security, and development.

• University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (fact sheet)

The Graduate Centre of Governance and International Affairs offers a master’s degree in international studies as well as peace and conflict studies.

• Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research offers a master’s degree in social science. It is well-known worldwide for its free and open data collection on armed conflict and organized violence.

Professional Development Certificate Program University Partners:

• Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (fact sheet)

The program combines theory, research, and practice for African peace and development leaders who have worked in Africa, work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent, or strongly desire to learn about peacebuilding in Africa. Fellows will learn how to influence policies and take action to improve society through positive peace.

• Bahçeşehir University (BAU), Istanbul, Turkey (fact sheet)

The multidisciplinary program will train peacebuilders who are from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, work in other parts of the world with Middle Eastern or North African communities or initiatives, or have a strong interest in learning about peacebuilding in the region. Fellows will learn how to use their experience to effect meaningful change in society by developing groundbreaking ideas based on participatory approaches.

Documents Requirement:

The necessary paperwork for the 2026–27 Rotary Peace Fellowship is listed below:

• Resume
• Academic and/or Professional Recommendations
• Personal Statement Video and Essays
• Transcripts from postsecondary institutions (master’s program only)
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores (IELTS or TOEFL, master’s program only)
• Social Impact Plan (certificate program only)

Note: Please ensure all materials are in English and submitted by May 15. Additional documents, such as club or district recommendations, are optional but encouraged.

How to Apply?

• Check the eligibility criteria and relevant experience guide.
• Explore the programs and curricula at each Rotary Peace Center. For master’s programs, rank your top two preferred centers.
• Use the Club Finder to locate a Rotary or Rotaract club. Club or district recommendations are optional but encouraged.
• Understand the steps and instructions for submitting a complete application. Ensure all content is original and authentic.
• Prepare your resume, recommendations, personal statement video and essays, transcripts (master’s only), English proficiency scores (master’s only), and social impact plan (certificate only).
• Apply between February and May 15, 2025. Ensure all recommendations are submitted before you finalize your application.
• If selected, you will be notified in November 2025 about your Peace Center assignment.
• Selection for the fellowship does not guarantee university admission. You must apply separately to the university where your Peace Center is located.

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Selection Process and Criteria

Applications are screened for eligibility, with qualified ones moving to further review by the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, consisting of Rotary members and university representatives. Finalists may be contacted for an interview. Selected candidates will be notified in November 2025.

Applications are assessed based on:

• Eligibility requirements
• English proficiency
• Commitment to peace and development
• Leadership potential
• Fit with Rotary’s objectives
• Academic record and program compatibility
• Social Change Initiative Feasibility and Impact (certificate only)

Also Check:

• ACIAR John Allwright Fellowship 2026 in Australia
• Bayer Foundation Fellowships 2025 for Masters, Ph.D., and Medical Students (Up to €10,000)
• Einstein Fellowship 2026 for Outstanding Young Thinker (EUR 10,000 Stipend)

Please visit the official website for more information about the Rotary Peace Fellowship.