Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our 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 1,800 fellows who now work in over 140 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.
Our 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 up to 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 regions. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. This postgraduate certificate program is intended for working professionals.
Master’s degree programs
Is the master’s degree fellowship right for me?
The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. We are looking for early-career candidates who demonstrate a commitment to peace and conflict resolution, can undertake extensive reading and research, and can participate actively within a diverse cohort of students. Successful candidates have a record of prior achievements in peacebuilding as well as the potential for future growth and impact as leaders in the field resulting from their participation in the fellowship. After the program, candidates should be willing to share their own work and experience, staying in touch with peace fellows in their region and maintaining strong connections with Rotary members.
Eligibility
Master’s degree candidates must also:
- Be proficient in English
- Have a bachelor’s degree
- Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
- Have the potential for leadership
- Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
Candidates must have a gap of 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, or who will be enrolled in the upcoming academic year, are not eligible to apply.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate 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.
We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Rotary provides reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities.
You are not eligible if you are an active Rotary member or an employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.
* Rotaract club members who are not also Rotary club members are eligible to apply.
Learn more about eligibility restrictions.
Fellowship components
- Academic trainingLearn research-based theories and approaches to peace and development.
- Applied field experienceBuild practical skills through a self-designed, two- to three-month field experience.
- NetworkingExpand your global network of academics, peace workers, and Rotary members.
- Workshop seriesDevelop professional skills in peacebuilding and development.
- Final seminarPresent your master’s research.
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 program of Public Policy and Social Research.
University of Bradford, Bradford, England (fact sheet)
The Division of Peace Studies and International Development 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.
Professional development certificate program
Is the professional development certificate program right for me?
The ideal candidate is a proven mid-career peace and development leader with at least five years of relevant work experience. Candidates need to come to the program with a social change initiative to promote peace and development within the program region. They should also have a clear vision of how the fellowship experience and network will help advance their peace work and increase their impact. This postgraduate certificate program is intended for working professionals and requires 11 weeks of on-site participation. After the program, candidates should be willing to share their own work and experience, staying in touch with peace fellows in the region and maintaining strong connections with Rotary members.
Eligibility
Certificate candidates must also:
- Be proficient in English
- Have a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least five years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
- Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
- Demonstrate leadership skills
- Be able to explain how their plan to promote peace aligns with Rotary’s mission
- Candidates for Makerere University: Either be from Africa, have worked in Africa, work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.
- Candidates for Bahçeşehir University: Either be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, work elsewhere around the world with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or North Africa, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.
Candidates must have a gap of 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, or who will be enrolled in the upcoming academic year,are not eligible to apply.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the master’s degree 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.
We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Rotary provides reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities.
You are not eligible if you are an active Rotary member or an employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.
* Rotaract club members who are not also Rotary club members are eligible to apply.
Learn more about eligibility restrictions.
University Partners
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (fact sheet)
The program integrates theory, research, and practice for peace and development leaders who are from Africa, have worked in Africa, work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent, or demonstrate strong interest in learning about peacebuilding within Africa. Fellows will learn how to influence policies and initiate action to transform society through positive peace.
Bahçeşehir University (BAU), Istanbul, Türkiye (fact sheet)
The multidisciplinary program will train peacebuilders who are from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, who work elsewhere around the world with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or North Africa, or demonstrate strong interest in learning about peacebuilding within the region. Fellows will learn how to use their experience to create meaningful change in societies through groundbreaking ideas based on participatory approaches.
Fellowship components
- Preliminary online courseProgram begins: A two-week preliminary online course
- On-site courseA ten-week on-site course with field studies
- Social change initiative (guide)A nine-month social change initiative with interactive online sessions
- Capstone seminarProgram ends: A one-week on-site capstone seminar which overlaps with incoming cohort
Application timeline
The Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now open! The 2026-27 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is available online through 15 May 2025.
If you know a potential candidate, use our referral form so they can receive more information.
Our approach
We see peace not as an abstract concept but as a living, dynamic expression of human development. Peacebuilding is a cornerstone of our mission as a humanitarian service organization and is one of Rotary’s areas of focus — the channels of activity through which our members make their mark on the world. Our programs, grants and fellowships focus on creating environments where peace can be built and maintained. Rotary believes that if concerned citizens work together to create peace locally, lasting change can happen globally.
