Rotary World Peace Fellowship: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

Uppsala Rotary Peace Center educates current and emerging leaders. Admitted Peace Fellows earn a Master degree at Uppsala University.

Since 2011 the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University hosts one of the seven Rotary International Peace Centers. This means that students from all over the world can apply to Rotary scholarships to pursue a Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies at Uppsala University.

The Rotary World Peace Fellowship at Uppsala University is for the Master's Program in Peace and Conflict Studies.

The Uppsala Rotary Peace Center selects and educates Rotary Peace Fellows to have a significant, positive impact on peace and conflict resolution during their future careers.

Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,800 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. They are looking for early-career candidates who demonstrate a commitment to peace and conflict resolution, can undertake extensive reading and research, and can participate actively within a diverse cohort of students. Successful candidates have a record of prior achievements in peacebuilding as well as the potential for future growth and impact as leaders in the field resulting from their participation in the fellowship. After the program, candidates should be willing to share their own work and experience, staying in touch with peace fellows in their region and maintaining strong connections with Rotary members.

Master’s degree candidates must also:

• Be proficient in English
• Have a bachelor's degree
• Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
• Have the potential for leadership
• Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work

Candidates must have a gap of at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or who will be enrolled in the upcoming academic year, are not eligible to apply.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program, or a Global Grant Scholarship, must wait three years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for the fellowship.

We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Rotary provides reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities.

You are not eligible if you are an active Rotary member or an employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.

English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL scores (the TOEFL iBT, iBT Home Edition, or iBT Paper Edition are accepted: 90 total, with 20 inthe written test) or IELTS Academic/IELTS UKVI, IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic), and IELTS online scores (6.5 total, with no section below 5.5). 

The 2026-27 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now closed. The 2027-28 Rotary Peace Fellowship application will be available online through this webpage in February 2026.

Follow these steps to prepare a competitive application:

• Review the eligibility restrictions below and the relevant experience guide.
• Research the curriculum and programs at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. For the master's program, you will be asked to rank the two centers you prefer if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs.
• Engage with Rotary. Use the Club Finder to locate the Rotary or Rotaract club nearest you. Connecting with a Rotary club or district is a great way to learn about Rotary's work in your community and around the world. Many Rotary districts have a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair contact who can provide mentorship and advice for your application. A club or district recommendation is optional, but strongly encouraged as part of your application.
• Read the Application Overview to learn the steps involved. An overview with more instructions on submitting a thorough and complete application is available when you start an application. Candidates must submit original and authentic content based on their personal experience, knowledge, and motivation. Use of Generative AI content is highly discouraged. Plagiarism will disqualify an application.
• Gather required documents. Applications require a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, personal statement video and essays, transcripts from postsecondary colleges and universities attended (master's only), English language proficiency test scores (master's only), and social impact plan (certificate only). Allow time to request university transcripts and register for IELTS or TOEFL exams if your program requires these. All materials must be in English.
• Submit your application between February and 15 May. All applications are considered final upon submission. Ensure your academic and/or professional recommendations and Rotary club or district recommendations (optional) are entered prior to submitting your application.
• Await qualification notification and selection results. If you are selected for a fellowship, you will be notified in November which Rotary Peace Center will be the site for your studies.
• 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.

The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. 

• Online Application
• Academic Transcripts
• Resume
• Academic and/or Professional Recommendations
• Personal statement Video and Essays
• English Language Proficiency