Rotary Peace Fellowship: Eligibility and Application for ASEAN Applicants
By Muntasir • Published Aug 05, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Scholarships & Funding, Study in Southeast Asia
The Rotary Peace Fellowship funds a master's degree or a one year professional certificate in peace and conflict resolution at one of eight Rotary Peace Centers worldwide. Tuition, room and board, travel and field study costs are covered, and ASEAN applicants apply directly online without needing a Rotary Club to sponsor them first.
🎓 Two tracks: master's degree (15 to 24 months) or Professional Development Certificate (one year, blended)
Up to 170 fellowships awarded worldwide each year across both tracks
💵 Covers tuition and fees, room and board, round trip transport, and field study costs
Designed for applicants with work experience in peace, development, or related fields
A Rotary Club referral helps but a direct online application does not require one
⏱️ The 2028-29 fellowship class opens for applications online in February 2027
What the Rotary Peace Fellowship funds
The Rotary Peace Fellowship pays for a full course of study at one of eight Rotary Peace Centers around the world. The fellowship covers tuition and fees, room and board, round trip transportation to the host university, and the cost of the internship or field study placement tied to your program. You do not pay tuition, and you do not take out a loan to cover living costs during the fellowship.
Two fellowship tracks
Rotary runs two separate tracks under the same fellowship. Pick the one that matches your career stage and the time you have available.
| Track | Length | Who it suits | Spots per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree | 15 to 24 months, including a 2 to 3 month field study | Early to mid-career applicants ready for a full degree | Up to 50 |
| Professional Development Certificate | One year, blended online and in-person format | Working professionals who cannot leave their job for two years | Up to 120 |
Together the two tracks fund up to 170 fellows a year. The certificate track fits ASEAN professionals already working in government, NGOs, or development agencies, since the blended format lets you keep your job while you study.
Where you study
Rotary Peace Centers sit inside partner universities on several continents. One confirmed center is at International Christian University in Tokyo, giving ASEAN applicants a study location inside Asia alongside centers in North America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Check the current center list on the Rotary Peace Fellowship page before you apply, since course focus differs by campus.
Who qualifies
Rotary designs the fellowship for leaders with work experience in peace and development. That covers a wide range of backgrounds: conflict resolution, human rights, humanitarian response, journalism, public health, education, and government service all count if your work connects to peace or development outcomes. You do not need a background specifically labeled peace studies to qualify.
Do you need a Rotary Club to sponsor you
No. Rotary accepts direct applications through its online portal without a Rotary Club or district endorsement as a requirement. Rotary runs a separate referral form so a Rotarian who knows a strong candidate points them toward the program, but that referral stays optional and does not gate your eligibility to apply. If a Rotary Club in your country reaches out or you know one locally, use that connection for advice and a possible reference, but do not wait on a club invitation before submitting your own application.
How ASEAN applicants apply
Confirm your work experience matches the peace and development focus before you start the application
Decide between the master's track and the certificate track based on how much time you have available
Prepare your English proficiency documentation, since instruction runs in English at every center
Submit your application through the online portal when the cycle opens
Connect with a local Rotary Club for advice or a reference if you have that option, though the step stays optional
Timeline for the next cycle
Rotary opens the application for the 2028-29 fellowship class online in February 2027. The prior cycle had already closed by August 2026, so ASEAN applicants planning ahead should mark February 2027 on their calendar and use the months before that to secure supporting documents and finalize their work experience narrative.
Building a strong application
Reviewers look for a clear link between your work history and peace or development outcomes, not a general interest in the topic. Describe a specific project you led or contributed to, name the population or issue it addressed, and explain what you plan to do with the fellowship once you finish. Applicants who show a concrete plan for how the fellowship connects to their next career step stand out over applicants who list broad interests only.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fellowship only for people already working in peacebuilding?
No. Rotary accepts applicants from a range of fields as long as their work experience connects to peace or development outcomes, including government, health, education, and humanitarian work.
Can you apply straight out of undergraduate study?
Rotary designs the fellowship for applicants with work experience, so a strong application usually comes after some years in the workforce rather than immediately after graduation.
Does the fellowship cover a spouse or dependents?
The fellowship funds the applicant's tuition, room and board, and travel. Check the current terms on the Rotary Peace Fellowship page for any dependent related provisions before you plan your move.