The Rotary Foundation has announced accepting applications for fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowship, which covers tuition and living expenses, increases the capacity of dedicated peacebuilders from communities around the world to prevent and resolve conflict by offering academic training, field experience, and professional networking.

In a press release the Foundation said: As a humanitarian organisation, promoting peace is a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission. By carrying out service projects, supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, and partnering with others, Rotary members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. We believe that supporting peace and development leaders in their education and careers is key to creating a more peaceful world.

Rotary Peace Fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn either a master’s degree or a postgraduate diploma in peace and development studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers located at leading universities around the world. More than 1,700 programme alumni are working in more than 140 countries as leaders in national governments, nongovernmental organizations, education and research, peacekeeping and law enforcement, business and consulting, human rights law, media and the arts, and international organisations such as the United Nations.

Master’s degree:

15-24 month program, small-group classroom learning, in fields related to peace and development

Intended for leaders near the start of their careers

50 fellows selected annually to study at one of five Rotary Peace Centers at partner universities, which offer interdisciplinary curricula with research-informed teaching

2-3 month field study experience to develop practical skills

Fellows connect with an international cohort of fellows, experts and thought leaders, and a global network of Rotary members.

Professional development certificate:

One-year programme for working professionals that blends online learning, in-person classes, and an independent project

Intended for social change leaders with extensive experience working in peace-related fields

Interdisciplinary programme includes a one- or two-week online preliminary course, 10 weeks of on-site courses with field studies, a nine-month period during which fellows implement a social change initiative (with interactive online sessions), and an on-site capstone seminar

Forty fellows will be selected to earn a postgraduate diploma in peacebuilding and conflict transformation at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Candidates who are from Africa, have worked in Africa, work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding within Africa can apply for the certificate programme at Makerere University.

Similarly 40 fellows will be selected to earn a postgraduate diploma in peace and development studies at Bahçesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey. Candidates who are from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, work elsewhere around the world with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or North Africa, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding within the region can apply for the programme at Bahçesehir University.

Eligibility: Qualified candidates must:

Have three years of related work experience for the master’s programme

Have five years of related work experience for the certificate programme and be able to explain how their plan to promote peace aligns with Rotary’s mission Be proficient in English (Master’s candidates whose first language is not English must provide English language standardised test scores.)

Have a bachelor’s degree (Master’s candidates must provide a copy of their transcripts.)

Demonstrate leadership skills

Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace Candidates must have at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree programme (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme are not eligible to apply.

Application tips:

Review the eligibility restrictions and the relevant experience guide.

Research the curriculum and programs at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. Connect with a local Rotary or Rotaract Club or an online club for application mentorship and a recommendation. Applications for the 2025-26 academic term need to be submitted by 15 May 2024. Please write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org with questions. If you know someone who might be a good candidate for the Rotary Peace Fellowship, please submit a referral form with their name and email address. We’ll contact them with information on how to apply. Thank you for supporting our programme. Follow the Rotary Peace Centers on Facebook. ‘For further information, you can contact your local Rotary club or write to the District Scholarship Subcommittee Chair on danyaudu@yahoo.com.