Over 130 Rotary Peace Fellowships 2025-2026 for International Students
Each year, the Rotary Foundation awards up to 130 fully-funded fellowships to empower leaders from around the world to undergo training at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. These fellowships cover all expenses, including tuition, accommodation, round-trip transportation, as well as internship and field study costs.
The Rotary Foundation will offer up to 50 fellowships for master’s programs and 80 fellowships for certificate programs at prestigious universities. Students may choose to study at one of the eligible universities in the United States, Japan, England, Australia, or Sweden.
Since the program’s inception in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained over 1,500 fellows who are now working in more than 115 countries. Many alumni hold leadership positions in governments, NGOs, educational institutions, as well as in peacekeeping agencies, law enforcement, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
Details of Rotary Fellowships
- Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
- Level: Master’s, Professional Development Certificate
- Funding: Fully funded
- Open to: All nationalities
- Host Countries: United States, Japan, England, Australia, Sweden
Benefits and Fellowship Amounts
The Rotary Peace Centers award 130 fully-funded fellowships. These fellowships cover tuition fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, as well as internship and field study costs.
There are 50 fellowships for master’s degree studies and 80 fellowships for professional development certificates.
Eligibility Criteria for the Rotary Peace Fellowships
The ideal candidate for the Rotary fellowships, regardless of nationality, should meet the following criteria:
- Strong academic background
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Proficient in English (proof of English proficiency is not mandatory)
- Have professional experience in peace and development
- Demonstrate a commitment to peace and conflict resolution
- Able to undertake in-depth reading and research
- Capable of actively participating in a diverse cohort of students
The program seeks early-career candidates. After their training, fellows should be ready to share their work and experiences, maintain connections with other peace fellows in their region, and stay in touch with Rotary members.
To find out more about your eligibility, please complete the questionnaire here.
Master’s Program Partner Universities:
- Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
- International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
- University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
Professional Development Certificate Program Partner Universities:
- Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
How to Apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowships?
Follow these steps to ensure your Rotary Peace Centers fellowship application is considered:
- Check your eligibility here.
- Research the study programs offered at each Rotary Peace Center. You will need to list your two preferred centers for the master’s program, and up to two centers for the certificate program, provided you meet the eligibility criteria for both options.
- Engage with Rotary.
Use the club locator tool to find the nearest Rotary club. Joining a club is a great way to experience Rotary’s impact both locally and internationally. While a club recommendation is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged to support your application.
- Submit your application before May 15, 2025.
Your application should include a CV, academic and/or professional recommendation letters, essays, transcripts, a social impact plan (for certificate program applicants), and exam results (for the Master’s program). All documents should be submitted in English.
- Obtain Rotary’s endorsement.
If your application meets the qualification and eligibility criteria, it will be reviewed by a trained Rotary officer at the beginning of June. They will contact you to arrange an interview during that month. After the interview, the Rotary officer will submit a decision regarding your application by July 1, 2025.
- Wait for the selection results.
Candidates will be notified via email in November. If selected for a fellowship, you will be informed of the Peace Center where you will conduct your studies.
- Apply for admission (Master’s program only).
Being selected for a fellowship does not guarantee admission to the university. You must submit an admission application to the university where your Peace Center is located.
Applications for the Rotary Peace Centers program must be submitted by May 15, 2025. Rotary sponsors have until July 1, 2025 to submit their endorsement to the Rotary Foundation.
For any questions, please contact the Rotary Foundation via this link.
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