Rotary gives out free fellowships every year to leaders from different countries. These fellowships cover all the expenses for the selected leaders to study at one of Rotary’s peace centers.
By joining the Rotary Peace Centers program, the fellows gain academic knowledge, practical experience, and global connections. These help them become better at creating peace and promoting development in their communities.
The fellowships cover everything from tuition fees, accommodation and meals, travel expenses, to internships and field studies.
Since 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers program has trained over 1,600 fellows from more than 140 countries. These fellows now work in different sectors such as government, non-governmental organizations, education, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies, and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
Our fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a program created for people who have worked in peace and development and are leaders. The fellows who participate in this program have a strong desire to serve their communities and the world by working towards peace. Every year, The Rotary Foundation gives out as many as 50 fellowships for people who want to pursue a master’s degree and up to 40 fellowships for those who want to do certificate studies at top-notch universities.
Select the program that suits you best
Master’s degree programs
Students who are accepted into the program will learn about topics related to peace and development through teaching that is based on research. The course has a wide variety of students from different backgrounds and experiences. It lasts between 15 to 24 months and includes a field study that lasts two to three months. Participants are able to design their own field study.
Is the master’s degree fellowship right for me?
We’re searching for someone who is very smart and has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and who also has work experience in peace and development. We want to find people who are just starting out in their careers, but who are really committed to making peace and resolving conflicts. These candidates should be able to do a lot of reading and research, and should be able to work well with a diverse group of students.
The people we select for this program should have a good track record of working towards peace, and we also want to see potential for them to grow and become leaders in the field. After the program is finished, we want candidates to be willing to share what they’ve learned and stay in touch with other peace fellows in their region, as well as staying connected with Rotary members.
Eligibility
- To apply for a Master’s degree in this program:
- you need to meet several requirements.
- You must be able to speak and write English well, have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, and have experience working in fields related to peace or development for at least three years.
- You should also have a demonstrated commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace, shown through your professional and academic achievements, as well as personal or community service.
In addition, you should have the potential for leadership, and there must be a gap of at least three years between the completion of your most recent academic degree program Please tell us whether you have completed your bachelor’s or master’s degree, and when you plan to begin the fellowship. If you have already completed a Rotary Peace Fellowship certificate program or a Global Grant Scholarship, you need to wait for three years before applying for this program.
People from diverse backgrounds and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We will make sure to give appropriate help to people who have disabilities when they apply for something. However, if you are an active member of a Rotary club or an employee of Rotary International or any other Rotary entity, you are not eligible to apply.
Master’s program university partners
Duke University and the University of North Carolina located in Chapel Hill are two educational institutions in the United States.
Students who are part of the program can get a master’s degree in international development policy from Duke University or a master’s degree from different departments at the University of North Carolina. Additionally, students in the program at either university have the option to earn a graduate certificate in international peace and conflict resolution from UNC.
International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at ICU is famous for its interdisciplinary program and liberal arts style. Students called “Fellows” study for a master’s degree in Peace Studies as part of the Department of Public Policy and Social Research.
University of Bradford, Bradford, England
Bradford University’s Department of Peace Studies and International Development is the biggest of its kind worldwide. It provides a range of postgraduate courses that are focused on topics such as peace, conflict, security, and development.
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Students at the Graduate Centre of Governance and International Affairs can obtain a master’s degree in international studies and peace and conflict studies.
Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies provides a postgraduate degree in social science. They are well-known all over the world for their vast collection of data on armed conflict and organized violence, which is available to everyone without any charge.
Professional development certificate program
In the one-year blended learning program, people with different backgrounds and lots of experience in peace and development learn how to make peace happen in their communities and around the world. The program includes going out into the field to study things and coming up with a project to make the world a better place. It’s made for people who already have a job. After finishing the program, they get a post-graduate diploma.
Would the certificate program for professional development be suitable for me?
The ideal person for this job should have experience working in peace and development for at least five years. They should also have a plan for promoting peace and development in the program area. The person should have a clear idea of how this program will help them improve their work and increase their impact. This program is meant for people who are already working, and they will need to participate on-site for 11 weeks. When they finish the program, they will get a post-graduate diploma. After that, they should be willing to keep in touch with other people who have completed the program and stay connected with members of Rotary.
EligibilityÂ
Certificate candidates must also:
- To be considered for the Rotary Peace Fellowship program, applicants must meet certain requirements.
- They should have a good command of the English language and hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Â In order to qualify, the candidate should possess a minimum of five years of experience in peace or development-related work. Additionally, they should have a deep-seated dedication to promoting cross-cultural understanding and harmony.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their leadership skills and explain how their plans for promoting peace align with Rotary’s mission. If applying for Makerere University, they should be from Africa, have worked in Africa, or work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent.
Applicants must have a gap of at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program and the intended start date of the fellowship. Candidates who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have already completed a master’s degree program or a Global Grant Scholarship must wait three years before applying for the fellowship. People with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and Rotary provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities as needed.
However, active Rotary members or employees of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity are not eligible to apply.
University Partners
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
This program brings together different areas of study and has a special emphasis on comparing different parts of the world, particularly Asia-Pacific. It teaches both theory and practical skills, using the knowledge of expert teachers and professionals who have worked in different parts of the world.
*Please note that the certificate program at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand is not accepting applications in 2023, as The Rotary Foundation and the university are conducting an evaluation of the program.
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
This program is designed for African leaders who have either worked in Africa or are working with African communities or initiatives outside the continent. It combines theoretical knowledge, research, and practical skills to empower fellows to bring positive change and development to society. The program will teach fellows how to influence policies and take action to create a peaceful and prosperous future.
Application timeline
We’re currently receiving applications for the Rotary Peace Fellowship program for the academic year 2024-25. Candidates have until May 15th to send in their applications to The Foundation. If you have a Rotary endorser, they must submit their endorsement to The Foundation by July 1st.
Our approach
At our organization, we don’t think of peace as just an idea, but as something that’s alive and constantly changing as people develop. Building peace is a very important part of what we do. It’s one of the main areas we focus on to make a positive impact in the world. We have different programs, grants, and opportunities for people to work towards creating a peaceful environment that can be sustained. We believe that if people come together in their communities to build peace, it can have a positive effect on the whole world.
How to Apply
To make sure your application is considered, follow these steps:
- Check if you are eligible for the program by reviewing the restrictions.
- Research the curriculum and programs offered at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. If you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs, you will need to rank two centers you prefer for the Master’s program. Kindly take note that the certificate program for the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda is available for application. However, the certificate program at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand will not be accepting applications for the year 2023.
- Connect with Rotary by using the Club Finder to locate the Rotary club nearest you. This is a great way to learn about Rotary’s work in your community and around the world. It’s optional, but recommended to get a club recommendation as part of your application.
- Submit your application by May 15th. Make sure to include a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts from postsecondary colleges and universities attended (for master’s only), English language proficiency test scores (for master’s only), and a social impact plan (for certificate only). All materials must be in English.
- If you meet the qualification and eligibility criteria, your application will be assigned to a trained Rotary endorser who will contact you in June to schedule an interview. The endorser will submit their decision for your application by July 1st.
- Notification of selection results will be sent via email in November. If you are selected for a fellowship, you will receive a notification indicating the Peace Center where you will be studying.
- If you are selected for the Master’s program, you will need to apply for admission to the university where your Peace Center is located. Keep in mind that being selected for the fellowship does not mean you have been admitted to the university.
Selection process
From July to October, the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, which is made up of Rotarians and university officials, reviews applications and chooses the top candidates based on certain standards:
- A strong dedication to promoting peace and development
- The potential to lead and inspire others
- Alignment with Rotary’s mission and goals
- An impressive academic history and suitability for the preferred university program
- A feasible and impactful Social Change Initiative (for those pursuing a certificate)
Eligibility Restrictions
The Rotary Peace Fellowships are opportunities for people to pursue advanced studies in peace and conflict resolution. However, there are some restrictions on who can apply for these fellowships.
Firstly, the fellowships cannot be used for doctoral studies. Secondly, there are certain people who are not eligible for the fellowships. These include active members of Rotary or Rotaract clubs who are also members of Rotary, employees of Rotary entities, and relatives of living Rotary members.
To be considered for a fellowship, candidates must have at least three years of work or life experience after completing their most recent undergraduate or graduate degree. If they are currently enrolled in a degree program, they cannot apply.
Finally, if someone has already completed a certificate program, Master’s program, or Global Grant Scholarship as a Rotary Peace Fellow, they must wait three years before applying for another fellowship.
