The Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation is a fully funded international fellowship open to candidates worldwide who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to peacebuilding. Notably, the Rotary Foundation awards up to 170 fellowships annually across two programme tracks — a Master’s degree programme lasting 15 months to two years, and a one-year Professional Development Certificate programme. Furthermore, the fellowship covers full tuition, accommodation, airfare, internship expenses, field-study costs, and health insurance. The application deadline for both tracks is 15 May 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fellowship (Master’s Degree + Professional Development Certificate) |
| Organising Body | Rotary Foundation |
| Mode | On-campus (varies by host university or Peace Centre) |
| Duration | 15 months to 2 years (Master’s) / 1 year (Certificate) |
| Locations | USA, Japan, England, Australia, Sweden, Uganda, Türkiye, India |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 May 2026 |
About the Program
The Rotary Foundation established the Rotary Peace Fellowship to train future peace leaders who will drive positive change at a global level. Consequently, the programme operates through a network of Rotary Peace Centres hosted at leading universities across eight countries, where fellows combine academic study with hands-on field experience and international networking. Moreover, Rotary — a global network of 1.4 million leaders and problem-solvers — designed this fellowship to strengthen peacebuilding professionals at every career stage, whether they are early practitioners or seasoned experts seeking advanced skills in peace and development.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- The Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation is open to nationals of all countries worldwide.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
- Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a strong academic record throughout their prior studies.
- A minimum three-year gap between the completion of the applicant’s most recent degree and the fellowship start date is mandatory.
Experience and Other Conditions
- Master’s programme applicants must have at least three years of relevant professional work experience in peace, development, or a related field.
- Certificate programme applicants must have at least five years of relevant professional experience, as this track targets established peace and development professionals.
- Furthermore, all applicants must demonstrate clear leadership potential and a track record of meaningful engagement in their field.
- Certificate programme applicants must additionally submit a Social Impact Plan as part of their application.
- English proficiency test scores are mandatory for Master’s programme applicants; Certificate programme applicants should refer to the official guidelines for language requirements.
Benefits and Funding
The Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation fully funds all selected fellows, so participants face no personal financial burden throughout the programme. Specifically, the fellowship delivers the following benefits:
| Component | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Covered in full |
| Room and Board | Included for the full programme duration |
| Round-Trip Airfare | Provided to and from the host country |
| Internship Expenses | Covered in full |
| Field-Study Expenses | Included for all hands-on learning activities |
| Health Insurance | Provided for all fellows throughout the programme |
| Fellowship Slots | Up to 50 for Master’s programmes; up to 80 for Certificate programmes |
| Post-Programme Credential | Postgraduate diploma awarded to Certificate programme completers |
Topics and Themes Covered
- Peace and conflict resolution theory and practice
- International development and humanitarian action
- Leadership and problem-solving in complex environments
- Applied field experience through structured internships
- Community-level and global peacebuilding strategies
- Social impact planning and implementation
- Academic seminars, workshops, and a final capstone seminar
- Cross-cultural dialogue and international networking
Selection Process
- The Rotary Foundation first screens all applications for eligibility, document completeness, and programme fit.
- Subsequently, reviewers assess academic transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statements, and video or essay submissions where applicable.
- Furthermore, evaluators consider the applicant’s demonstrated leadership potential and professional experience relative to the programme track they apply for.
- Certificate programme applicants additionally undergo assessment of their Social Impact Plan.
- Finally, the Rotary Foundation notifies shortlisted candidates of any interview requirements or additional steps by email.
Refer to the official Rotary Foundation application portal and the specific host university or Peace Centre for any supplementary internal deadlines or selection criteria.
How to Apply
- First, visit the official Rotary Foundation application portal and create an online account by completing the registration process.
- Next, select the programme track — Master’s degree or Professional Development Certificate — that aligns with your qualifications and career stage.
- Then, complete the online application form in full, entering all personal, academic, and professional details accurately.
- Additionally, gather and upload all required documents, ensuring each file meets the format specifications the Rotary Foundation specifies.
- If applying for the Certificate programme, include a well-developed Social Impact Plan as part of your submission.
- Furthermore, Master’s programme applicants must attach valid English proficiency test scores before submitting.
- After completing all sections, submit the application before the closing deadline of 15 May 2026.
- Finally, monitor your registered email address regularly for confirmation of receipt, interview notifications, or any additional instructions from the Rotary Foundation.
There is no application fee stated for the Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation programme.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 15 May 2026 |
| Fellowship Period (Master’s) | 15 months to 2 years starting 2027 |
| Fellowship Period (Certificate) | 1 year starting 2027–2028 |
Applicants should additionally check with their chosen host university or Rotary Peace Centre for any internal or supplementary deadlines that may apply before the global closing date.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation?
The Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation is open to nationals of all countries worldwide. Moreover, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and demonstrate strong academic excellence. Master’s programme applicants need at least three years of professional experience, while Certificate programme applicants must have a minimum of five years. Additionally, all applicants must observe a three-year gap between their most recent degree and the fellowship start date.
2. What does the Rotary Peace Fellowship fully fund?
The fellowship covers full tuition fees, room and board, round-trip airfare, internship expenses, field-study costs, and health insurance throughout the programme. Consequently, the Rotary Peace Fellowship Rotary Foundation places no financial burden on selected fellows, allowing them to focus entirely on their academic and professional development during the programme.
3. What is the difference between the Master’s programme and the Certificate programme?
The Master’s programme runs for 15 months to two years and targets candidates with at least three years of professional experience who seek advanced academic qualifications in peace and development. The Certificate programme, by contrast, runs for one year, targets professionals with at least five years of experience, and blends online learning, classroom instruction, and social change projects. Furthermore, Certificate programme completers earn a postgraduate diploma upon finishing the programme.
4. Where do Rotary Peace Fellows study?
Master’s programme fellows study at one of five host universities: Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the USA, International Christian University in Japan, the University of Bradford in England, the University of Queensland in Australia, or Uppsala University in Sweden. Certificate programme fellows, alternatively, study at Makerere University in Uganda, Bahçeşehir University in Türkiye, or Symbiosis International University in India.
5. What is the deadline to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship 2027-2028?
The application deadline is 15 May 2026 for both the Master’s programme and the Professional Development Certificate programme. Accordingly, applicants should complete and submit all required materials well in advance of this date. Additionally, prospective fellows should check with their chosen host university or Rotary Peace Centre for any internal deadlines that fall earlier than the global closing date.