THE ROTARY PEACE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (FULLY FUNDED)

admin February 3, 2022

5 minutes read

Apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship Program (Fully Funded)

DEADLINE: 15 May 2022

Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of the peace centers.

Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,500 fellows who now work in over 115 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments, NGOs, education and research institutions, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies, and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

Fellowships

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.

Choose the program that’s right for you

Master’s degree programs

Accepted candidates study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.

Professional development certificate program

During the one-year blended learning program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote peace within their communities and across the globe. Fellows complete field studies, and they also design and carry out a social change initiative. This program is intended for working professionals. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the program.

Application timeline

The Rotary Foundation is now accepting Rotary Peace Fellowship applications for the 2023-24 academic year. Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary endorsers must submit endorsements to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July. Find endorsement instructions.

Master’s program university partners

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

Fellows can earn a master’s degree in international development policy from Duke or a master’s from various departments at the University of North Carolina. In addition, Fellows at both universities can earn 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 known for its interdisciplinary program and liberal arts approach. Fellows pursue a master’s degree in Peace Studies within the Department of Public Policy and Social Research.

University of Bradford, Bradford, England (fact sheet)

The Division of Peace Studies at Bradford is the largest in the world and offers several master’s degrees related to peace, conflict, security, and development.

University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (fact sheet)

Fellows earn a master’s degree in international studies and peace and conflict studies at the Graduate Centre of Governance and International Affairs.

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research offers a master’s degree in social science. It is internationally renowned for its free and globally accessible collection of data related to armed conflict and organized violence.

University Partners for the Professional Development Certificate Program

Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (fact sheet)

The interdisciplinary program, a comparative global and Asia-Pacific regional focus, balances theoretical learning with practical skills building by capitalizing on the professional experiences of expert lecturers and global field practitioners.

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (fact sheet, video)

The program integrates theory, research, and practice for peace and development leaders who are from Africa, have worked in Africa, or work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent. Fellows will learn how to influence policies and initiate action to transform society through positive peace.

Application Process

Follow these steps to ensure that your application receives consideration.

Review the eligibility restrictions.
Research the curriculum and programs at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. You will be asked to rank two centers you prefer for the Master’s program and up to two centers for the certificate program if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs.
Engage with Rotary. Use the Club Finder to locate the Rotary club nearest you. Connecting with a club is a great way to learn about Rotary’s work in your community and around the world. A club recommendation is optional, but strongly recommended as part of your application.
Submit your application by 15 May. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts, social impact plan (certificate only), and test scores (master’s only). All materials must be in English.
Get endorsed. In early June, if your application meets the qualification and eligibility criteria, it will be automatically assigned to a trained Rotary endorser who is either a member of a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee, a member of a Rotary club, or a Rotary Peace Fellow program alumnus. Your assigned endorser will reach out to you to schedule an interview during the month of June. After your interview, the Rotary endorser will submit an endorsement decision for your application by 1 July.
Await selection results. Email notifications will be sent in November. If you are chosen for a fellowship, you will be told at which Peace Center you will study.
Apply for admission (master’s only) to the university where your Peace Center is located. Being selected for the fellowship does not mean you have been admitted to the university.

Selection process

Between July and October, the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, composed of Rotarians and university representatives, screens applications and selects the ﬁnalists based on the following criteria:

Commitment to peace and development
Leadership potential
Compatibility with fellowship objectives and fit with Rotary
Feasibility and impact of Social Change Initiative (Certificate only).

Eligibility restrictions

Rotary Peace Fellowships may not be used for doctoral study. The following people are not eligible for the fellowship:

Active Rotary members
Employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents or grandparents by blood) of any living person in these categories
Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of their resignation)

Candidates must have at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program, Master’s program, or a Global Grant Scholarship, must wait three years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for the fellowship.

Take the eligibility quiz.