Deadline: May 15, 2026.

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 Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Their 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 120 for certificate studies at premier universities.

PROGRAMS

THE MASTER’S DEGREE FELLOWSHIP

The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. They 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.

ELIGBILITY CRITERIA

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.
• Master’s 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.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

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.

ELIGBILITY CRITERIA

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 for Symbiosis International University: Either be from Asia, have worked in Asia, work with communities or initiatives outside Asia, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.

BENEFITS

The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

APPLICATION

1. The Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now open! The 2027-28 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is available online through 15 May 2026. Learn about eligibility and qualifications and how to apply.
2. If you know a potential candidate, use their referral form so they can receive more information.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE