Since 2002, Rotary has awarded Peace Fellowships to leaders with professional work experience in Peace and development. Up to 130 fully funded fellowships are awarded annually for study at one of Rotary's Peace Centers, with 1700 Peace Fellowships awarded to people who work in 140 countries to date. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for Peace.
Two fellowship options are available.
One is a master’s degree program in which accepted candidates study Peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. Up to 50 applicants are accepted. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.
The second fellowship option is a Professional development certificate program., accepting up to 80 applicants. During the one-year blended learning program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote Peace within their communities and regions. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. Rotary International created Peace Fellowships for working professionals. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the program.
The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses. Upon completing the fellowships, many people 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.