Rotary Peace Fellowships for Global Leaders 2025–2026

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The Rotary Peace Fellowships for Global Leaders 2025–2026, offered by The Rotary Foundation, is a prestigious, fully funded program designed to empower professionals dedicated to peace and conflict resolution.

Since its inception in 2002, the program has trained over 1,800 fellows from more than 140 countries, many of whom now lead impactful initiatives in governments, NGOs, education, peacekeeping, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank.

Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fellowships—50 for Master’s degrees and 80 for professional development certificate programs—at premier universities in Australia, England, Japan, Sweden, Türkiye, Uganda, and the USA.

These fellowships equip participants with academic training, practical experience, and global networking opportunities to become effective catalysts for peace.

This comprehensive guide details eligibility, benefits, application processes, and tips for success for Nigerians and other international candidates aspiring to join this transformative program.

Why Choose the Rotary Peace Fellowships?

Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million leaders and problem-solvers, views peace as a dynamic expression of human development, not just an abstract concept. The Rotary Peace Fellowships align with this mission by fostering environments where peace can thrive. Key reasons to pursue this opportunity include:

• Fully Funded Support: Covers tuition, fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship/field-study expenses, removing financial barriers.
• World-Class Education: Study at renowned Rotary Peace Centers, such as Duke University (USA), University of Queensland (Australia), and Uppsala University (Sweden).
• Global Networking: Join a network of over 1,800 alumni and Rotary members, fostering lifelong connections for peacebuilding initiatives.
• Practical Experience: Engage in field studies, internships, and social change projects to apply peacebuilding skills.
• Career Impact: Alumni like Hilary Caldis (USA) and Muyatwa Sitali (Zambia) have leveraged the fellowship to lead in diplomacy and global sanitation initiatives.

With a competitive acceptance rate, the program seeks candidates with proven leadership and a commitment to peace. Nigerians and other foreigners can contribute to global peacebuilding while gaining unparalleled professional development.

Program Overview

The Rotary Peace Fellowships offer two distinct tracks to accommodate diverse career stages:

• Master’s Degree Program: A 15–24-month program at universities in the USA, Japan, UK, Australia, or Sweden, focusing on peace and conflict resolution, international development, or related fields. Up to 50 fellowships are awarded annually.
• Professional Development Certificate Program: A one-year blended program at Makerere University (Uganda) or BahçeÅŸehir University (Türkiye), combining online learning, 10 weeks of on-site courses, and a nine-month social change project. Up to 80 fellowships are awarded annually.

Fellows participate in academic training, workshops, field experiences, and networking, designed to enhance their ability to address conflict and promote peace at local and global levels.

Note that fellows cannot study at a Peace Center in their home country, except for Ugandans attending Makerere University or Thais at Chulalongkorn University (not offered in 2025–2026).

Eligibility Criteria

The Rotary Peace Fellowships target professionals with experience in peace and development. General eligibility includes:

• Nationality: Open to all nationalities, including Nigerians, with no geographic restrictions except the home-country study rule.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required for Master’s applicants; no degree required for certificate applicants, but a strong academic background is preferred.
• Work Experience:
  • Master’s Program: Minimum three years of full-time relevant experience in peace, conflict resolution, or international development.
  • Certificate Program: Minimum five years of full-time relevant experience, with a social change plan aligned with Rotary’s mission.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English; Master’s applicants whose first language is not English must provide standardized test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 80+).
• Leadership and Commitment: Demonstrated leadership skills and a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace through professional, academic, or community service.
• Time Gap: At least three years between the most recent degree completion and the fellowship start date (August/September 2025). Current students are ineligible.
• Restrictions: Active Rotary members, employees of Rotary entities, or their close relatives are ineligible. Previous certificate or global grant scholarship recipients must wait three years before applying for the Master’s program.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the certificate program at Makerere University, applicants must be from Africa, have worked in Africa, or work with African communities globally.

Benefits of the Rotary Peace Fellowships

The fellowships provide comprehensive support, including:

• Tuition and Fees: Fully covered for Master’s or certificate programs.
• Room and Board: Accommodation and living expenses provided for the program duration.
• Round-Trip Transportation: Economy-class airfare to/from the host country.
• Internship/Field-Study Expenses: Funding for practical components, such as two- to three-month field studies (Master’s) or a nine-month social change project (certificate).
• Networking and Mentorship: Access to a global network of 1,800+ alumni, Rotary members, and peacebuilding professionals.

These benefits enable fellows to focus on their studies and projects without financial strain, fostering impactful careers in peacebuilding.

Participating Rotary Peace Centers

Fellows study at one of seven Rotary Peace Centers, each offering unique programs:

• Duke University and University of North Carolina, USA: Master’s in International Development Policy or various UNC degrees, plus a graduate certificate in peace and conflict resolution.
• International Christian University, Japan: Master’s in Peace Studies within Public Policy and Social Research.
• University of Bradford, UK: Master’s in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies.
• University of Queensland, Australia: Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies.
• Uppsala University, Sweden: Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies, renowned for its armed conflict data collection.
• Makerere University, Uganda: Certificate in Peace and Development Studies, tailored for African professionals.
• BahçeÅŸehir University, Türkiye: Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution, with a focus on practical skills.

Master’s applicants rank their top two preferred centers; certificate applicants rank up to two. Programs include research-informed teaching and diverse cohorts, enhancing cross-cultural learning.

Application Process

The application process for the 2025–2026 Rotary Peace Fellowships is rigorous and online, with a deadline of May 15, 2025. Steps include:

1. Review Eligibility: Check criteria and the relevant experience guide to confirm qualification.
2. Research Peace Centers: Explore curricula at each center and rank preferences (two for Master’s, two for certificate).
3. Prepare Documents:
   • Resume/CV detailing academic and professional experience.
   • Academic/professional recommendations (two, attesting to peacebuilding commitment).
   • Essays and personal statement video outlining your motivation and goals.
   • Transcripts (Master’s only).
   • English proficiency test scores (Master’s only, if non-native speaker).
   • Social impact plan (certificate only, detailing your peacebuilding project).
4. Engage with Rotary: Use the Club Finder to connect with a local Rotary club for mentorship or an optional recommendation from a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair.
5. Submit Application: Apply online via the Rotary Foundation portal by May 15, 2025, ensuring all materials are in English and original (plagiarism disqualifies applicants).
6. Endorsement: Qualified applications are assigned a Rotary endorser (e.g., a Rotary member or alumnus) in June 2025, who conducts an interview and submits an endorsement by July 1, 2025.
7. Await Results: Notifications are sent in November 2025, indicating Peace Center assignment.
8. University Admission (Master’s Only): Apply separately to the assigned university, as fellowship selection does not guarantee admission.

Submit applications early to allow time for endorsement. Contact your local Rotary club or district chair (e.g., Linda Brouillette for District 7010 at lbrouillette1951@gmail.com) for guidance.

Tips for a Successful Application

With a competitive selection process, these tips can strengthen your application:

• Showcase Peacebuilding Experience: Highlight specific achievements in peace, conflict resolution, or community service, such as leading refugee support initiatives or mediation projects.
• Align with Rotary’s Mission: Emphasize your commitment to cross-cultural understanding and grassroots peacebuilding in essays and videos.
• Secure Strong Recommendations: Choose referees who can validate your leadership and peace-related work.
• Tailor Your Social Impact Plan: For certificate applicants, propose a feasible, impactful project aligned with local or global peace needs.
• Engage with Rotary Early: Connect with a local club by February 2025 to gain mentorship and a potential endorsement.
• Avoid AI-Generated Content: Submit original, authentic materials, as plagiarism or AI-generated content leads to disqualification.

Start preparing 6–12 months in advance to gather documents and refine your application.

Deadlines and Key Dates for 2025–2026

Key dates for the 2025–2026 cycle include:

• February 2025: Application portal opens.
• May 15, 2025: Application deadline for submission to The Rotary Foundation.
• June 2025: Interviews with assigned Rotary endorsers.
• July 1, 2025: Endorsement submission deadline.
• November 2025: Notification of selection and Peace Center assignment.
• August/September 2025: Programs begin (varies by center).

Monitor deadlines and apply at Apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships.

Life as a Rotary Peace Fellow

Fellows immerse in diverse academic environments, engaging with global peers and expert faculty. Master’s programs include 15–24 months of coursework and a two- to three-month field study designed by fellows. Certificate programs blend online learning, 10 weeks of on-site training, and a nine-month social change initiative.

For example, fellows at Uppsala University access globally renowned conflict data, while those at Makerere University focus on African peacebuilding challenges. Alumni like Hilary Caldis (CEO, The Female Voice) credit the fellowship for enhancing negotiation and advocacy skills.

Fellows join a vibrant network of 1,800+ alumni, collaborating on peace initiatives across 140 countries. Cities like Brisbane, Tokyo, and Kampala offer rich cultural and academic experiences.

Alternative Opportunities

If ineligible, consider:

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Fully funded Master’s and PhD programs in the USA for international students.
• Chevening Scholarships: UK-funded Master’s degrees for leaders in various fields, including peace studies.
• UNESCO Fellowships: Support for education, science, and culture professionals from developing countries.

Explore these at Apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships.

Conclusion

The Rotary Peace Fellowships for Global Leaders 2025–2026 offer Nigerians and international candidates a transformative opportunity to advance peace and conflict resolution through fully funded Master’s degrees or certificate programs.

With comprehensive support, access to premier universities, and a global network of peacebuilders, fellows are equipped to drive lasting change. Despite the competitive process, early preparation and alignment with Rotary’s mission can lead to success.

Apply by November 15, 2025, to join a legacy of over 1,800 fellows shaping a peaceful world. Visit Apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships.

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