Rotary Peace Scholarship Program 2023-2024 at USA, Japan, UK, Australia, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda | Fully funded

Overview

Each year, Rotary awards 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.

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Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,600 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 40 for certificate studies at premier universities.

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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.

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

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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 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.

Master’s program university partners

Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA 

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.

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International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan 

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 Department of Public Policy and Social Research.

University of Bradford, Bradford, England 

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 

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 

The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies 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

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 across the globe. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. This program is intended for working professionals. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the 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 program is intended for working professionals and requires 11 weeks of on-site participation. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the program. 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.  

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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, or work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent.

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 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.

University Partners

Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

The interdisciplinary program, a comparative global and Asia-Pacific regional focus, balances theoretical learning with practical skill building by capitalizing on the professional experiences of expert lecturers and global field practitioners.

*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

The program integrates theory, research, and practice for peace and development leaders who are from Africa, have worked in Africa, or work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent. Fellows will learn how to influence policies and initiate action to transform society through positive peace.

Application timeline

We are now accepting Rotary Peace Fellowship applications for the 2024-25 academic year. Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to The Foundation. Rotary endorsers must submit endorsements to The Foundation by 1 July. 

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.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to ensure that your application receives consideration.

1. Review the eligibility restrictions.
2. Research the curriculum and programs at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. You will be asked to rank two centers you prefer for the Master’s program if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs. (Please note that we are accepting applications for the certificate program for the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda. The certificate program at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand is not accepting applications in 2023.)
3. Engage with Rotary. Use the Club Finder to locate the Rotary club nearest you. Connecting with a club is a great way to learn about Rotary’s work in your community and around the world. A club recommendation is optional, but strongly encouraged as part of your application.
4. Submit your application by 15 May. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts from postsecondary colleges and universities attended (master’s only), English language proficiency test scores (master’s only), and social impact plan (certificate only). All materials must be in English.
5. Get endorsed. In early June, if your application meets the qualification and eligibility criteria, it will be automatically assigned to a trained Rotary endorser who is either a member of a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee, a member of a Rotary club, or a Rotary Peace Fellow program alumnus. Your assigned endorser will reach out to you to schedule an interview during the month of June. After your interview, the Rotary endorser will submit an endorsement decision for your application by 1 July.
6. Await selection results. Email notifications will be sent in November. If you are chosen for a fellowship, you will be told which Peace Center will be the site for your studies.
7. Apply for admission (master’s only) to the university where your Peace Center is located. Being selected for the fellowship does not mean you have been admitted to the university.

Selection process

Between July and October, the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, composed of Rotarians and university representatives, screens applications and selects the finalists based on the following criteria:

• 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)

Eligibility Restrictions

Rotary Peace Fellowships may not be used for doctoral study. The following people are not eligible for the fellowship:

• Active Rotary members, or Rotaract members who are also Rotary members.*
• Employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
• Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents or grandparents by blood) of any living person in these categories
• Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of their resignation)

* Rotaract club members who are not also Rotary club members are eligible to apply.

Candidates must have 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 are not eligible to apply.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program, Master’s 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.