Peace Fellowships

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

Master's 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, or who will be enrolled in the upcoming academic year, 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.

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

Learn more about eligibility restrictions.

Master’s program university partners
 

Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (fact sheet)

Duke ranks among the top 50 universities worldwide. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a leading graduate research university and consistently ranks among the top five public schools in the U.S. 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 transformation from UNC.

International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan (fact sheet)

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 program of Public Policy and Social Research.

University of Bradford, Bradford, England (fact sheet)

The Department of Peace Studies and International Development at Bradford is the world’s largest university center for research and courses on peace studies, conflict resolution, and development. Fellows can earn a master's degree in various subjects related to these fields.

University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (fact sheet)

The center is part of Australia’s longest-running peace studies program with topics on non-violence, grassroots peacebuilding, conflict mediation, and the role of indigenous diplomacy and gender politics. Fellows earn a master’s degree in peace and conflict studies within the School of Political Science and International Studies.

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research offers a master’s degree in social science with a focus on peace and conflict studies. It is internationally renowned for its freely accessible global data on armed conflict and organized violence.

Master’s fellowship recipients may not study at a Rotary Peace Center in their home countries.