Rotary Peace Fellowships for International Students 2023-2024. Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully-funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centres.
Through academic training, practise, 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 1,500 fellows who now work in over 115 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.
About the 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 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.
Rotary Peace Fellowships for International Students 2023-2024 programs
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.
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, are able to undertake extensive reading and research, and are able to participate actively within a diverse cohort of students.
Successful candidates have both a record of prior achievements in peacebuilding and 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, stay in touch with peace fellows in their region and maintain 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
- Potential for leadership
- Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
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, 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 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, employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.
Learn more about eligibility restrictions.
Master’s program university partners
- Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (fact sheet)
- International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan (fact sheet)
- University of Bradford, Bradford, England (fact sheet)
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (fact sheet)
- Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)
The 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 they also 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.
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 and 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, stay in touch with peace fellows in the region and maintain strong connections with Rotarians.
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 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 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, employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.
Learn more about eligibility restrictions.
Partners
- Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (fact sheet)
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (fact sheet, video)
How to apply to the Rotary Peace Fellowships for International Students 2023-2024?
- Deadline : May 15, 2022.
- Level : Master, Professional development certificate.
- Financing : Fully funded.
- Open to : All nationalities.
- Host countries : USA, Japan, England, Australia, Sweden.
Here is what you should consider before applying;
- 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 and up to two centers for the certificate program if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs.
- 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 recommended as part of your application.
- Submit your application by 15 May. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts, social impact plan (certificate only), and test scores (master’s only). All materials must be in English.
- Get endorsed. In early June, if your application meets the qualification and eligibility criteria, it will be automatically assigned to a trained Rotary endorser. 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.
- Await selection results. Email notifications will be sent in November. If you are chosen for a fellowship, you will be told at which Peace Center you will study.
- 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.
Candidates have until 15 May 2022 to submit applications to The Rotary Peace Fellowships program. Rotary endorsers must submit endorsements to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July 2022.
For all your questions, contact Rotary Foundation here.