Rotary Peace Fellowship 2028–29 – Fully Funded Master’s & Certificate Programmes Worldwide (Deadline 15 May 2027)
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a fully funded programme from The Rotary Foundation for people working in peace and development. Each year it funds up to 170 fellows: up to 50 on Master’s degrees and up to 120 on a one-year professional development certificate, hosted at Rotary Peace Centers around the world. Fellows come from any country.
Deadline: Rotary runs a single application window each year, opening in February and closing on 15 May. For the 2028–29 fellowship year, the expected deadline is 15 May 2027, with the form opening in February 2027. The 2027–28 round has already closed, so use the months ahead to prepare.
What It Covers
Rotary describes full funding for tuition, living costs and travel, plus fieldwork and a global network of fellows and alumni. Check the official page for the current package.
Who Can Apply
- Professionals with a record in peacebuilding, conflict resolution or development
- For the Master’s: roughly three years of relevant experience; for the certificate: about five
- A gap of at least three years between your most recent degree and the start of the fellowship
- Not active Rotary members or employees of Rotary entities (Rotaract members may apply)
How to Apply
- Create an account on my.rotary.org when the 2028–29 application opens in February 2027.
- Prepare essays, a video if requested, recommendations, transcripts and any test scores, and upload everything by 15 May.
- Master’s applicants also go through the separate university admission process after selection.
- Rotary districts interview candidates and submit endorsements in June and July, and results are announced around November.
Where You Can Study
Partner centres are listed in countries including Australia, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda, the United Kingdom and the United States, with a newer centre at Symbiosis International University in Pune, India. Programme types differ by centre, so choose based on your career goals.
Tips
A club or district recommendation is optional but strongly encouraged, and many districts have a contact who can mentor you. Reach out to a local Rotary district in the first quarter of 2027, since district contact can take weeks.
Why the Rotary Peace Fellowship Is Valuable
The fellowship is not only a funding package. It places mid-career professionals in a cohort of peers working on conflict, governance, humanitarian response and development, and it connects them to the Rotary network in more than a hundred countries. Alumni work in governments, the United Nations, NGOs, universities and the private sector. For East African professionals, one of the listed centres is in Uganda, which offers a regional route that does not require leaving the continent.
Key Dates at a Glance
- February 2027: the 2028–29 application opens online
- 15 May 2027: expected application deadline
- June 2027: Rotary district interviews take place
- 1 July 2027: endorsements are due, according to the previous cycle’s pattern
- November 2027: selection results are announced
- 2028: fellows arrive at their assigned Rotary Peace Center, with Master’s programmes typically starting in August or September
Master’s Degree or Professional Certificate
The Master’s route is a two-year degree at partner universities and is meant for applicants with around three years of relevant work or volunteer experience. The professional development certificate is a shorter, non-degree programme for applicants with about five years of experience, and it often suits people who cannot leave their work for two years. Choose the route based on your career stage rather than prestige, because the selection criteria for each are different.
What Rotary Looks For
- A clear commitment to peace and conflict resolution, shown by what you have done
- Leadership in your community, workplace or organisation
- Academic ability and the capacity for extensive reading and research
- The ability to contribute to a diverse cohort
- A realistic plan for how you will use the training in your home context
Preparing Your Application
- Start in January 2027 by checking the official eligibility page and identifying a district contact.
- Gather your transcripts, passport details and test scores if required.
- Write your essays with specific examples of peacebuilding or development work, including outcomes.
- Arrange recommendations from supervisors who can describe your impact.
- Prepare for the district interview, where you may be asked about your motivation, your project experience and your long-term plans.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until May to look for a Rotary district contact
- Applying with less experience than the programme expects
- Describing aims in general terms without showing results
- Forgetting the gap of at least three years since your last degree
- Applying as an active Rotary member or employee, which is not allowed
More Questions Applicants Ask
Is there an age limit? No age limit is stated in the sources we reviewed, but the experience requirements shape the typical profile.
Can I apply for both routes? Use the official application guidance to decide, since you generally choose one.
Is there a cost to apply? Check the official page for current rules.
Choosing a Rotary Peace Center
Centres differ in location, programme type, language and focus. Some focus on international relations and conflict analysis, others on development practice or public policy, and a few offer the shorter certificate in a field setting. Read the programme page for each centre, compare their start dates, and think about which one gives you the best mix of academic content and field experience for your work. If you live in East Africa, a centre in the region may reduce travel costs and keep you closer to your current projects, while a centre overseas may widen your network. Whatever you choose, explain your reasons in the application, because reviewers want to see that you made a deliberate choice rather than a random one.
Using the Waiting Period Wisely
The application opens in February 2027, but your preparation can start now. Document your peace or development work with numbers and outcomes, ask supervisors for reference letters, find a Rotary club or district that can recommend you, and begin improving any English or academic test scores that you may need for university admission. A strong fellowship application usually reflects months of preparation, not weeks.
After You Are Selected
Selected fellows are assigned to a Rotary Peace Center, and Master’s fellows then complete that university’s own admission steps. Expect time between results in November and the start of the programme, which you can use to arrange leave from work, apply for visas and plan family logistics. Stay in touch with your sponsoring Rotary district, as they often provide mentoring and introductions.
