2026–2027 Rotary Peace Fellowships (Fully Funded)

Up to 130 fully sponsored Rotary Peace Fellowships are available each year for world leaders to attend one of Rotary’s peace centres to study. The Rotary Peace Centres program prepares peace and development professionals to promote effective change through academic training, hands-on experience, and worldwide networking. Fellowships cover tuition, fees, housing & board, transportation, and internship/field study expenses.

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

Since 2002, over 1,800 fellows have graduated from the program and are now employed in over 140 countries, including government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peacekeeping, and international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

Details

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

About Programs

Master’s degree programs

The ideal candidate has an excellent academic record, job experience in peace and development, and a bachelor’s degree in a comparable discipline. They’re looking for early-career individuals who can read and study extensively, actively connect with a diverse student body, and demonstrate a dedication to peace and conflict resolution.

Selected candidates have exhibited previous achievement in peacebuilding and, as a result of the fellowship, have the ability to grow and make an impact as field leaders in the future. Candidates should share their work and experiences after the program, stay in touch with other peace fellows in their area, and develop 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 candidate. Applicants must submit a social change initiative to the program that intends to promote development and peace in the program region. Furthermore, individuals should understand how the network and fellowship experience will advance and enhance their peace work.

Working professionals are the intended audience for this program, which requires 11 weeks of on-site attendance. Fellows who finish the program receive a postgraduate diploma. Candidates should be prepared to share their work and experiences after the program, staying in touch with local peace fellows and developing close relationships with Rotary members.

Benefits of the Rotary Peace Fellowships

The fellowships cover the following:

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

Eligibilities

Master’s Degree Program:

• Requirements include fluency in English and an undergraduate degree.
• Your achievements in the business, classroom, and society indicate a strong dedication to promoting intercultural peace and understanding.
• Capable of leading others.
• Possess a minimum of three years of relevant full-time experience working for peace or development.
• The applicant’s most recent academic program, whether undergraduate or graduate, must have finished at least three years prior to the scheduled start date of the fellowship. Applicants currently enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs are not eligible to apply.
• Individuals with disabilities are invited to apply.

You are not eligible if you are:

1. Active Rotary members
2. Employees from the Rotary Club or District.
3. Spouses and lineal descendants

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.
• Your achievements in the business, classroom, and society indicate a strong dedication to promoting intercultural peace and understanding.
• Show off your leadership skills.
• Capable of explaining how their method for promoting peace aligns with Rotary’s mission
  Applicants to Makerere University must be from Africa, have worked there, support African communities or organizations overseas, or have a strong desire to learn about regional peacebuilding tactics.
• Candidates for Bahçeşehir University must be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked there, currently work abroad with communities or projects relevant to these regions, or have a strong desire to learn about regional peacebuilding tactics.
• The applicant’s most recent academic program, whether undergraduate or graduate, must have finished at least three years prior to the scheduled start date of the fellowship. Applicants currently enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs 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 get a master’s degree in international development policy at Duke or a master’s degree in one of several departments at the University of North Carolina. In addition, they can get 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 boasts the world’s largest Division of Peace Studies and International Development, which offers a wide range 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 provides master’s degrees in both international studies and peace and conflict studies.

• Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research provides a master’s degree in social sciences. It is well-known internationally for collecting free and open data on armed conflict and organized violence.

Professional Development Certificate Program University Partners:

• Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (fact sheet)

The curriculum blends theory, research, and practice for African peace and development professionals who have worked in Africa, work with African communities or programs outside of Africa, or are eager to learn more about African peacebuilding. Fellows will learn how to influence policies and take action to better society by promoting good peace.

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

The multidisciplinary program will train peacebuilders who are from the Middle East or North Africa, have previously worked in the region, work with Middle Eastern or North African people or initiatives in other parts of the world, or have a strong desire to learn more about regional peacebuilding. Fellows will learn how to leverage their experience to create significant social change by generating innovative ideas based on participatory methodologies.

Documents Requirement

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

1. Resume
2. Academic and/or professional recommendations.
3. Personal Statement Video and Essays
4. Transcripts from postsecondary universities (only for master’s programs)
5. English Language Proficiency Test Scores (IELTS or TOEFL for master’s programs only)
6. Social Impact Plan (only for certificate programs).

Note: Please ensure all items are in English and submitted by May 15. Additional documentation, such as club or district recommendations, are optional but recommended.
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How to Apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowships?

1. Check the eligibility criteria and relevant experience guide.
2. Explore the programs and curricula at each Rotary Peace Center. For master’s programs, rank your top two preferred centers.
3. Use the Club Finder to locate a Rotary or Rotaract club. Club or district recommendations are optional but encouraged.
4. Recognize the procedures and guidelines for submitting a completed application. Make sure every piece of material is genuine and unique.
5. Prepare your social impact plan (certificate only), transcripts (master’s only), English proficiency scores (master’s only), personal statement video and essays, résumé, and recommendations.
6. Between February and May 15, 2025, submit an application. Before completing your application, make sure you have included all of the recommendations.
7. You will be informed about your Peace Centre assignment in November 2025 if you are chosen.
8. Being chosen for the fellowship does not ensure admission to the university. The university where your Peace Centre is located requires a separate application.

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Selection Process and Criteria

Applications are evaluated for eligibility, and those that meet the requirements advance to the Rotary Peace Centres Committee, which is made up of university officials and Rotary members. Interview invitations may be extended to finalists. Notification of the chosen applicants will be sent in November 2025.

Applications are evaluated according to:

• Qualifications for eligibility
• Proficiency in English
• Dedication to growth and peace
• Possibility of leadership
• Complementary to Rotary’s goals
• Program compatibility and academic record
• Initiative for Social Change Impact and Feasibility (certificate only)

Also Check:

• Silk Road Scholarship Program 2025 | Fully Funded by the Chinese Government
• Turkey Burslari Scholarship
• Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus EMIMEP Scholarship 2025–2027

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