Rotary Peace Fellowship 2025-2026 for International Students

Rotary is a global network comprising 1.2 million individuals committed to fostering societal change across the world. With a history spanning over a century, Rotary members are dedicated to addressing environmental, educational, and humanitarian challenges. Their initiatives encompass various areas, including:

• Enhancing local economies
• Combating diseases
• Promoting peace
• Ensuring access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
• Supporting maternal and child health
• Facilitating education

They approach these challenges through interdisciplinary perspectives, innovative thinking, and a commitment to responsible action, aiming to make a lasting impact on a global scale.

Organization History

Founded in 1905 by Paul Harris in Chicago, Rotary has grown from a single club to a globally recognized organization operating on six continents. Over the years, its mission expanded to include philanthropic efforts addressing diverse societal issues, maintaining a widespread presence with leaders committed to addressing global challenges.

Rotary Scholarship Overview

The Rotary Peace Centers offer up to 130 fully-funded scholarships annually to exceptional individuals worldwide. These scholarships aim to develop peace and development experts through academic training, practical experience, and global career opportunities. The program covers tuition, accommodation, travel, and other related expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the certificate program at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, requires candidates to be from Africa, have worked in Africa, or engage with African communities or initiatives outside the continent. Similarly, eligibility for the certificate program at Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey, requires candidates to be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, or engage elsewhere globally with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or North Africa.

Applications undergo screening for eligibility, with qualified submissions moving forward for further evaluation by the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, consisting of Rotary members and university representatives. The selection process is based on various criteria, including eligibility, English proficiency, commitment to peace and development, leadership potential, alignment with fellowship objectives and Rotary’s mission, academic record, and the feasibility and impact of the Social Change Initiative (for certificate program applicants).

Eligibility restrictions specify that Rotary Peace Fellowships cannot be used for doctoral study. Additionally, certain individuals are ineligible for the fellowship, such as active Rotary members, employees of Rotary entities, specific familial relations, and former Rotary members and their relatives within a certain timeframe after resignation.

Candidates must ensure a minimum three-year gap between their most recent academic degree completion and the intended fellowship start date. Individuals currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are ineligible to apply. Furthermore, Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program, master’s program, or Global Grant Scholarship must wait three years before commencing the fellowship.

Application Process

The application window for the 2024–25 Rotary Peace Fellowship is now closed. However, the application process for the 2025–26 Rotary Peace Fellowship will commence online in February 2024. Interested candidates can access the application at that time by visiting this page.

To ensure a competitive application, follow these steps:

1. Review the eligibility requirements and the relevant experience guide thoroughly.
2. Research and familiarize yourself with the curriculum and programs available at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. If you’re eligible for both programs in the master’s degree, you’ll be asked to rank your two preferred centers.
3. Engage with Rotary by using the Club Finder tool to locate the nearest Rotary or Rotaract club. Connecting with these clubs or districts is an excellent way to learn about Rotary’s local and global initiatives. Some Rotary districts have a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair who can offer mentorship and advice for your application. Although optional, a recommendation from a club or district is highly encouraged.
4. Read the comprehensive Application Overview for detailed instructions on submitting a thorough and complete application.
5. Collect all necessary documents. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, essays, transcripts from postsecondary colleges and universities attended (for master’s program applicants only), English language proficiency test scores (for master’s program applicants only), and a social impact plan (for certificate program applicants only). Ensure all materials are in English. If your program requires university transcripts or language proficiency exams (IELTS or TOEFL), make the necessary arrangements in advance.
6. Submit your application between February and May. All applications are considered final upon submission. Ensure inclusion of your academic and/or professional recommendations and Rotary club or district recommendations (if applicable) before submission.
7. Await notification regarding your qualification and selection results. Successful fellowship candidates will be informed in November about their designated Rotary Peace Center for studies.
8. For master’s program applicants, note that being selected for the fellowship does not guarantee admission to the affiliated university where your Peace Center is located.

Deadline and Contact Information

Applications for the Rotary Scholarship for the academic year 2025–2026 will be available online in February 2024 and open until May 31. Districts will forward accredited applications to Rotary by July 1. For further inquiries, contact the Rotary World Headquarters or regional offices listed on rotary.org.

Official Website

For detailed information and application guidelines, visit rotary.org.

Rotary Fellowship Resources

• Master’s program postcard (PDF)
• Certificate program postcard (PDF)
• Rotary Peace Fellowships Relevant Experience Eligibility Guide (PDF)
• Learn more about Rotary Peace Fellowships
• Rotary Peace Center Facebook page