Rotary Peace Fellowships
The Rotary Foundation · All India
| Scheme Name | Rotary Peace Fellowships |
| Provided By | The Rotary Foundation |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Rotary Peace Fellowships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$75,000 (approx. ₹62.3 Lakh+)
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is fully funded, covering tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. The estimated annual value is approximately 6,225,000 INR (based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 83 INR for an estimated $75,000 USD annual value). Funds are disbursed directly to cover these costs and are not provided as a direct cash transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts.
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Academic Degree:A bachelor's degree or equivalent, with strong academic achievement (minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, roughly 75%).
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Work Experience:A minimum of three years of combined paid or unpaid full-time relevant work experience in peace and development.
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Time Gap:Candidates must have at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate) and their intended fellowship start date. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible.
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Commitment:Demonstrated strong commitment to international understanding and peace through professional, academic, personal, and community service activities.
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Leadership Skills:Excellent demonstrated leadership skills.
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Language Proficiency:Proficiency in English is required (TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers). Proficiency in a second language is strongly recommended.
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Nationality/Residency:Fellows can only be assigned to a Peace Center outside their home country or country of permanent residence. US citizens may not apply to the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center in the United States.
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Ineligibility:Active Rotarians, honorary Rotary members, employees of a Rotary club or district, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity, and their spouses, lineal descendants (children or grandchildren), spouses of lineal descendants, or ancestors are not eligible. Former Rotarians and their relatives (within 36 months of resignation) are also ineligible.
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Previous Fellowships:Recipients of Rotary Global Grant Scholarships or Rotary Peace Fellowships in the professional development certificate program must wait three years after completion to apply for the master's degree program.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters |
| Course / Stream | Masters |
| Minimum Marks | 75% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) (must include months and years for every job, internship, or volunteer experience)
- ✓Two academic and/or professional recommendations (recommenders must complete their section online)
- ✓Personal statement video
- ✓Essays
- ✓Academic transcripts from all postsecondary colleges/universities attended (for Master's degree applicants only, unofficial copies initially accepted, official required by university upon selection, must be in English or professionally translated)
- ✓English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS, for Master's degree applicants who are non-native English speakers, waivers may be available from universities)
- ✓GRE exam scores (strongly recommended for Duke-UNC applicants, and required for University of North Carolina applicants)
- ✓Social impact plan (for Professional Development Certificate applicants only, not for Master's)
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on a strong commitment to peace and development, leadership potential, and relevant professional or volunteer experience
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Eligibility also requires strong academic achievement, typically a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (roughly 75% equivalent), and English proficiency
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The application process includes submitting a resume, academic and/or professional recommendations, a personal statement video, essays, and academic transcripts (for Master's applicants)
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Applicants must secure an endorsement from a local Rotary district, which often involves an interview
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A Rotary Peace Centers Committee and university representatives review top candidates and select finalists, with notifications typically sent in November.
Renewal Policy
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The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a one-time award designed to cover the full duration of the chosen program, either a Master's degree (15-24 months) or a professional development certificate (one year)
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There are no annual renewal conditions for the ongoing fellowship
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However, specific conditions apply for reapplying to other Rotary Foundation programs: individuals who have completed a Rotary Peace Certificate program, Master's program, or a Global Grant Scholarship must wait three years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for a new Rotary Peace Fellowship
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Master's degree fellows must wait five years to apply for a certificate program.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Review Eligibility
Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, including a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record (e.g., GPA of 3.0/75% or higher), relevant work experience (minimum three years for Master's, five years for certificate), and a commitment to peace and development. Note that current Rotary members, employees, and their immediate family members are generally ineligible.
- 2Research Peace Centers
Explore the curriculum and programs offered at each of the Rotary Peace Centers. For the Master's program, you will be asked to rank your two preferred centers.
- 3Engage with Rotary
Use the Rotary Club Finder tool to locate and connect with a local Rotary or Rotaract club. While club recommendations are optional, they are strongly encouraged as part of your application and districts will endorse you after an interview.
- 4Prepare Application Materials
Gather all necessary documents, including a resume (listing months and years of experience), academic and/or professional recommendations, a personal statement video, essays, and academic transcripts (for Master's applicants; unofficial copies are initially accepted, official copies will be required by the university upon selection). English language proficiency test scores (IELTS or TOEFL) are also usually required for Master's applicants. All materials must be in English.
- 5Submit Online Application
Complete and submit your application online through the official Rotary portal during the designated application period (e.g., February 1 - May 15 for the 2027-28 cycle).
- 6District Endorsement
Your application will be forwarded to your chosen Rotary district for review and endorsement. This typically involves an interview with the district committee. Endorsed applications are submitted to The Rotary Foundation by July
- 7Await Selection Results
The Rotary Peace Centers Committee will review qualified applications. Notifications of selection are generally sent in November.
- 8University Application (if selected)
If you are selected for a fellowship, you will then need to apply for admission to the university where your assigned Rotary Peace Center is located. Being selected for the fellowship does not guarantee university admission.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the Rotary Peace Fellowship truly fully funded, and what expenses does it cover?
Yes, the Rotary Peace Fellowship is fully funded. It comprehensively covers tuition and university fees, room and board, round-trip transportation to and from the study destination, and all expenses related to internships and field studies. This ensures that fellows can focus entirely on their studies and peacebuilding efforts without financial burden.
Can Indian students pursue their studies in India with the Rotary Peace Fellowship?
While most Master's degree Rotary Peace Centers are located outside a fellow's home country, the professional development certificate program does offer an opportunity to study in India. Symbiosis International University in Pune, India, is one of the Rotary Peace Centers offering the one-year professional development certificate program, specifically catering to experienced peace and development professionals from Asia or those with a compelling interest in peacebuilding approaches within the region. Master's degree programs are offered at universities in the USA, Japan, UK, Australia, and Sweden.
Do I need to be a Rotary member or know a Rotarian to apply for the fellowship?
No, you do not need to be a Rotary member to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship. However, an essential part of the application process involves connecting with and receiving an endorsement from a local Rotary district. While not mandatory, obtaining a recommendation from a Rotary club is strongly encouraged. You can use the Club Finder tool on the Rotary International website to locate your nearest Rotary or Rotaract club and engage with them to learn more about the application process and obtain a district endorsement. Please note that active Rotary members, employees of Rotary, and their immediate family members are generally not eligible to apply.
Plan your study abroad
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