Rotary awards up to 170 funded fellowships a year for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of its eight peace centers. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
The 2027-28 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now available online through May 15, 2026. This opportunity opens during the month of February, which is designated as Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month in Rotary.
Rotary sees peace not as an abstract concept but as a living, dynamic expression of human development. Peacebuilding is a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission as a humanitarian service organization and is one of Rotary's areas of focus — the channels of activity through which our members make their mark on the world.
The programs, grants and fellowships focus on creating environments where peace can be built and maintained. Rotary believes that if concerned citizens work together to create peace locally, lasting change can happen globally.
Rotary awards up to 170 funded fellowships a year for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of its eight peace centers. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,800 fellows who now work in more than 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments, non-governmental organizations, education and research institutions, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. The Peace Fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 120 for certificate studies at premier universities.
The Master’s degree programs accepted candidates to study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.
During the one-year blended learning program for the professional development certificate program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote peace within their communities and regions. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. This postgraduate certificate program is intended for working professionals.