The Rotary Foundation offers up to 130 fully funded fellowships annually for dedicated leaders worldwide to study at prestigious peace centers. These transformative opportunities are designed for professionals committed to peace and development, providing comprehensive academic training, practical experience, and global networking opportunities.
About Rotary Peace Fellowships
Since 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers program has trained over 1,800 fellows who now work in more than 140 countries. These alumni serve as leaders in governments, NGOs, educational institutions, peacekeeping agencies, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank.
The fellowship covers all expenses including:
Tuition and fees
Room and board
Round-trip transportation
Internship and field-study expenses
Fellowship Programs Available
Master's Degree Programs
These 15-24 month programs allow candidates to study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching alongside a diverse student body. The curriculum includes a two to three-month field study that participants design themselves. Up to 50 fellowships are awarded annually for this program.
Professional Development Certificate Program
This one-year blended learning program is designed for working professionals with experience in peace and development. Fellows complete field studies and design and implement a social change initiative. Up to 80 certificates are awarded annually.
Application Timeline
The 2026-27 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now closed. The 2027-28 application will be available online in February 2025. If you know potential candidates, you can use Rotary's referral form so they can receive more information about the opportunity.
Rotary's Approach to Peace
Rotary views peace not as an abstract concept but as a living, dynamic expression of human development. Peacebuilding is a cornerstone of their mission as a humanitarian service organization and one of Rotary's key areas of focus. Their programs, grants, and fellowships create environments where peace can be built and maintained. Rotary believes that when concerned citizens work together locally, lasting global change becomes possible.
Application Process for Candidates
To prepare a competitive application for the 2027-28 cycle, follow these steps:
Review eligibility restrictions and relevant experience guide
Research the curriculum and programs at each Rotary Peace Center
Engage with a local Rotary or Rotaract club (recommended but optional)
Read the Application Overview to understand the process
Gather required documents (resume, recommendations, personal statement video, essays, transcripts, language test scores if applicable)
Submit your application between February and May 15
Await notification (selected candidates are notified in November)
Apply for admission to the university where your Peace Center is located
Eligibility Requirements
Certificate Program Eligibility
For the Makerere University (Uganda) program, candidates must either be from Africa, have worked in Africa, work with African communities outside the continent, or demonstrate compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.
For the Bahçeşehir University (Turkey) program, candidates must either be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, work with communities related to these regions, or demonstrate compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.
Eligibility Restrictions
The following individuals are not eligible:
Active Rotary members or Rotaract members who are also Rotary members
Employees of Rotary clubs, districts, or other Rotary entities
Spouses, descendants, spouses of descendants, or ancestors of any living person in these categories
Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of resignation)
Additionally, candidates must have at least three years between completing their most recent academic degree and their intended fellowship start date. Those currently enrolled in academic programs are not eligible to apply.
Previous Rotary Peace Fellows must wait three years between completing their program and starting a new fellowship.
Selection Process
Applications are screened for eligibility requirements, with qualified applications moving forward for further review. The Rotary Peace Centers Committee, composed of Rotary members and university representatives, evaluates candidates based on:
Qualification based on eligibility requirements
English proficiency
Commitment to peace and development
Leadership potential
Compatibility with fellowship objectives and fit with Rotary
Academic record and compatibility with preferred university program
Feasibility and impact of Social Change Initiative (certificate only)
Other Rotary Scholarship Opportunities
Beyond the Peace Fellowships, Rotary clubs and districts offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. These can be supported with funds raised locally or with Rotary Foundation district or global grants.
Global grant scholarships are available for graduate students studying abroad in one of Rotary's areas of focus:
Promoting peace
Fighting disease
Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
Saving mothers and children
Supporting education
Growing local economies
Protecting the environment
District grants can be used to sponsor secondary school, undergraduate, or graduate students studying any subject, either locally or abroad, for any length of time.
For more information about Rotary Peace Fellowships and to stay updated on application openings, visit the official Rotary Peace Centers website or connect with your local Rotary club.
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