๐ Rotary Peace Fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a prestigious fully funded program designed for dedicated leaders from around the world who are working in the fields of peacebuilding and development.
Each year, Rotary awards up to 170 funded fellowships through the Rotary Peace Centers program. The program supports professionals committed to advancing peace and sustainable development by providing academic training, practical experience and global networking opportunities.
Through a combination of academic study, professional practice and international collaboration, the Rotary Peace Centers program helps peace and development professionals strengthen their capacity to become effective catalysts for peace in their communities and globally.
The fellowship covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses, making it a fully funded opportunity for selected participants.
Since its launch in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers program has trained more than 1,800 fellows from over 140 countries. Many alumni now work as leaders in governments, NGOs, research institutions, peacekeeping missions, law enforcement agencies and international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
๐ Our Fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with experience in peacebuilding and development who are committed to community service and international cooperation.
Each year the Rotary Foundation awards:
๐ Up to 50 fellowships for masterโs degree programs
๐ Up to 120 fellowships for professional development certificate programs
Applicants can choose between two fellowship tracks depending on their professional experience and career goals.
๐ Masterโs Degree Programs
Accepted fellows study peace and development issues through research-based academic programs at leading universities. The masterโs programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which fellows design themselves based on their professional interests.
The program brings together a diverse cohort of students from around the world, encouraging interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
๐ค Who Should Apply for the Masterโs Program
The ideal candidate:
๐ Has a strong academic background
๐ Holds a bachelorโs degree in a related field
๐ค Demonstrates commitment to peace and conflict resolution
๐ Is able to undertake extensive research and academic study
๐ฑ Has prior achievements in peacebuilding and development work
๐ Shows leadership potential and capacity for long-term impact
After completing the fellowship, fellows are expected to stay engaged with the Rotary Peace network, share their experience and continue contributing to peacebuilding initiatives globally.
๐ Eligibility Requirements for Masterโs Candidates
Applicants must:
๐ Be proficient in English
๐ Have a bachelorโs degree
๐ค Demonstrate strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace through professional achievements and community service
๐ Show leadership potential
๐ผ Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
Additional requirements:
๐ Candidates must have a minimum three-year gap between completing their most recent academic degree and the intended start of the fellowship
๐ Applicants currently enrolled in a degree program are not eligible
โณ Previous Rotary Global Grant scholars or certificate fellows must wait three years before applying
Rotary encourages applicants with disabilities and individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodations where necessary.
Applicants cannot apply if they are active Rotary members or employees of Rotary organizations. However, Rotaract members who are not Rotary members are eligible.
๐ Professional Development Certificate Program
The certificate fellowship is designed for mid-career professionals working in peace and development who want to strengthen their practical skills and leadership capacity.
This one-year blended learning program includes online learning combined with 11 weeks of on-site participation at one of the Rotary Peace Centers.
Participants gain hands-on skills in peacebuilding and design a social change initiative that they implement in their communities.
๐ค Ideal Candidate for the Certificate Program
The ideal participant:
๐ Is a mid-career professional working in peace and development
๐ผ Has at least five years of relevant professional experience
๐ฏ Has a clear vision for a social change initiative promoting peace
๐ค Demonstrates leadership and community engagement
๐ฑ Seeks to expand impact through international collaboration
After completing the program, fellows are expected to maintain strong connections with Rotary members and the Peace Fellows network.
๐ Eligibility Requirements for Certificate Candidates
Applicants must:
๐ Be proficient in English
๐ Hold a bachelorโs degree
๐ผ Have at least five years of relevant professional experience in peace or development
๐ค Demonstrate strong commitment to peacebuilding and cross-cultural understanding
๐ Show leadership abilities
๐ Clearly explain how their peace initiative aligns with Rotaryโs mission
Regional eligibility conditions apply for specific host universities:
๐ Makerere University: Applicants must be from Africa, have worked in Africa, collaborate with African communities or demonstrate a strong interest in African peacebuilding approaches.
๐ Bahรงeลehir University: Applicants must be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, or demonstrate a strong interest in peacebuilding within the region.
๐ Symbiosis International University: Applicants must be from Asia, have worked in Asia, or demonstrate a strong interest in peacebuilding in the region.
Additional rules:
๐ Applicants currently enrolled in degree programs are not eligible
โณ Rotary fellows who previously completed the masterโs program or Global Grant scholarship must wait three yearsbefore applying
As with the masterโs program, active Rotary members or employees are not eligible, but Rotaract members who are not Rotary members may apply.
๐ Application Timeline
The Rotary Peace Fellowship 2027โ2028 application is now open.
๐ Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
Applicants must submit their application through the official Rotary Peace Fellowship online system.
๐ Our Approach to Peace
Rotary views peace not as an abstract concept but as a living and dynamic process connected to human development.
Peacebuilding is one of Rotaryโs main areas of focus and a central pillar of its humanitarian mission. Through fellowships, grants and global programs, Rotary works to create environments where peace can be built and sustained.
The organization believes that when committed citizens collaborate to build peace at the local level, they can create meaningful and lasting global change.
๐ Application Link
https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships
โ ๏ธ Important Notice
1๏ธโฃ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2๏ธโฃ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3๏ธโฃ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication โ including dates, activity details, or application deadlines โ or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4๏ธโฃ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
๐ก Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
