Rotary Peace Scholars are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. Fellows can earn either a master’s degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution. Scholars are chosen from countries and cultures around the globe based on their ability to have a significant, positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution during their careers.
The Rotary Foundation sponsors two programs for Peace Scholars.
1) Master’s Program – 24 Months
- Five Peace Centers worldwide
- Some programs offer a 15 -month course
- Study timelines differ according to each university’s schedule
- 10 new fellows at each center each year, up to 50 per year
- Two to three month applied field experience during summer break
2) Professional Development Certificate – 3 Months
- One center, one university – Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand
- Two sessions per year from January-April & June-August
- Up to 25 fellows in each session, up to 50 per year
- Two to three weeks of field study incorporated into curriculum
Rotary Peace Center Locations:
- Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
- University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
- Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
Rotary Peace Fellowships
and resolution. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace.
Eligibility requirements
- Proficiency in English; proficiency in a second language is strongly recommended
- Strong commitment to international understanding and peace as demonstrated through professional and academic achievements and personal
or community service - Excellent leadership skills
- Master’s degree applicants: minimum three years of related full-time work or volunteer experience, bachelor’s degree
- Certificate applicants: minimum five years of related full-time work or volunteer experience, strong academic background
Eligibility Restrictions
Rotary Peace Fellowships may not be used for doctoral study. The following people are not eligible for the master’s degree program:
- Active Rotary members
- Employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity
- Spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren by blood or legal adoption), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors (parents
or grandparents by blood) of any living person in these categories - Former Rotary members and their relatives as described above (within 36 months of their resignation)
Recipients of Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships or professional development certificate fellowships must wait three years after completion
of the scholarship or fellowship to apply for the master’s degree program.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the master’s degree program must wait five years to apply for the certificate program.
Complete information and applications can be found at Rotary Peace Fellowships.
Be sure to review your proposed application with club and district leaders before submitting it online.
Peace Scholars Resources
Rotary International Resources
Rotary Peace Scholars Downloads
- Rotary Peace Scholars – Eligibility Requirements (14 KB)
- Peace and Conflict Prevention Resolution Reference Sheet (54 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Alumni (1218 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Fellowships Brochure (431 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Making Peace a Reality (1113 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Masters Fellowship Guide (210 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Professional Certificate Fellowship Guide (170 KB)
- Rotary Peace Centers – Program Guide (224 KB)
- Rotary Peace Fellowship – Application (301 KB)
- Rotary Peace Fellowship – How to Select a Top Scholar (42 KB)
- Rotary Peace Fellowship Presentation (5512 KB)
- Rotary Peace Fellowship Press Release Template (59 KB)