Rotary Peace Fellows 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. Each year, up to 100 Rotary Peace Fellowships (50 master’s degree fellowships and 50 professional development certificate fellowships) are offered on a competitive basis at six Rotary Peace Centers, which operate in partnership with seven leading universities (centers offer master’s degree unless noted otherwise):

• Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (professional development center)
• Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
• Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
• University of California, Berkeley, USA (NOTE: The Rotary Foundation Trustees will no longer be accepting applications for this program after the 2009-11 class.) Read more
• University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Download the 2011 Rotary Peace Fellowship application (PDF) (Word)

Fellows 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. 

Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution

How to apply
Interested candidates must apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships through their local Rotary club. Use the Club Locator to find Rotary club contact information. If your hometown doesn’t have a Rotary club, try entering the names of nearby cities. You also can try searching for Rotary club websites. If you have difficulty finding or contacting a Rotary club in your area, contact Rotary Peace Centers staff for assistance.

Fellowship types
Applicants can choose from two Rotary Peace Fellowship options:

Eligibility criteria

• A strong commitment to international understanding and peace demonstrated through professional and academic achievements and personal and community service activities
• A bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience as a minimum, with strong academic achievement
• A minimum of three years’ combined paid or unpaid full-time relevant work experience (master’s degree) or five years’ relevant work experience with current full-time employment in a mid- to upper-level position (professional development certificate)
• Proficiency in a second language (master’s degree) or in English (professional development certificate)
• Strong leadership skills

Individuals applying immediately after obtaining an undergraduate degree are generally not strong candidates for Rotary Peace Fellowships. People with disabilities and members of Rotaract clubs are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Individuals who previously participated in the Ambassadorial Scholarships program, or were  Peace Fellows  in the professional development program at Chulalongkorn University,  Bangkok, Thailand, are required to wait a minimum of three full years before applying for a master's degree fellowship.

Individuals who participated in the Rotary Peace Centers master's degree program are not eligible for the professional development program at Chulalongkorn University. 

The following people are ineligible for master’s degree Rotary Peace Fellowships but may apply for the professional development certificate on an exception basis:

• Active and honorary Rotarians
• Employees of a Rotary club, RI district, Rotary International, or other Rotar