Rotary Peace Fellowships
Applications for the 2023-24 Rotary Peace Fellowship program are due by May 15, 2023 to Alan Kusunoki at aakusunoki@aol.com. The application period for 2023-24 opens in February 2023. For future reference, it is best to complete applications online and cc to D5000 no later than May 15 each year. District Interviews are conducted in June for the District Endorsement which needs to be received by RI by July 1. The selections are made in October.
Gretchn Alther was selected as one of the 2018 Peace Scholar worldwide and she attending Chulungakorn University in Thailand.
Kalika Kalistein, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hilo, was selected as RPF finalist for the 2016-2017 Rotary year.
Each year, Rotary selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships to pursue a Professional Development Certificate Program or Masters Degree Program related to peace and conflict resolution and prevention at one of the participating peace centers around the world (USA, Japan, UK, Australia, Sweden, Thailand).
Through training, study, and practice, Rotary Peace Fellows become leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution; many go on to careers in national governments, NGOs, the military, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank.
There are seven Rotary Peace Centers at eight universities.
Five centers offer master’s degrees in disciplines related to peace and development:
•A joint program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA
•International Christian University, Japan
•University of Bradford, England
•University of Queensland, Australia
•Uppsala University, Sweden
Our center at Makerere University in Uganda, offers a post-graduate diploma in peace and development. The yearlong program blends online learning, classroom studies, and a social change initiative.
*Please note that the certificate program at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand is not accepting applications in 2023, as The Rotary Foundation and the university conduct an evaluation of the program.
Benefits
- Up to 50 fellowships for master’s degree and 80 for certificate studies are awarded each year.
- The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
Application process
We are now accepting applications for the 2023-24 Rotary Peace Fellowship program. Candidates will have until 31 May to submit applications to their district. Districts must submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July. Review district endorsement instructions.
Follow these steps to ensure that your application receives consideration.
- Review the eligibility restrictions.
- Research the curriculum and programs at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. You will be asked to rank two centers you prefer for the Master's program and one center for the certificate program.
- Submit your application by 31 May. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts, social impact plan (certificate only), and test scores (master's only). All materials must be in English.
- Get endorsed. As part of the application process, you need to connect with a Rotary district and get endorsed. Districts are regionally-based Rotary representatives located throughout the world. You can identify and contact your local Rotary district directly through the application platform. The district will interview you then submit an endorsement decision for your application.
- Engage with Rotary. Use the Club Finder to locate the Rotary club nearest you. Connecting with a club is a great way to learn about Rotary's work in your community and around the world. Clubs recommendations are optional, but strongly recommended as part of your application.
- Await selection results. Email notifications will be sent in November. If you are chosen for a fellowship, you will be told at which Peace Center you will study.
- Apply for admission to the university where your Peace Center is located. Being selected for the fellowship does not mean you have been admitted to the university.
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 Global Grants Scholarships must wait three years after completing the scholarship to apply for Rotary Peace Fellowship programs.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program must wait three years to apply for the master’s degree program. Certificate fellows are not eligible for another certificate fellowship.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the master's degree program must wait five years to apply for the certificate program.
Take the eligibility quiz.
Resources & reference
- Peace fellowship application
- Master’s program postcard (PDF)
- Certificate program postcard (PDF)
- Learn more about Rotary Peace Fellowships
Application Deadline: May 15, 2023
Aloha, Alan Kusunoki