Fellowship Overview
FELLOWSHIP BACKGROUND
Uniting the resources of two renowned universities, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center offers Fellows the best faculty, courses, resources, and technology from both Duke University in Durham, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Jointly managed by the Duke Center for International Development and UNC Global, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center provides a link between these two outstanding institutions, as Fellows study at both schools.
Rotary Peace Fellows at Duke study international development policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy. The Masters in International Development Policy is designed for professionals seeking to dedicate their careers to policy making and public service in developing countries and countries in transition.
A nationally ranked university whose research orientation allows students not only the thrill of discovery, but also the latest advancements and new knowledge, UNC offers a range of disciplines to Rotary Peace Fellows, such as the Gillings School of Global Public Health, Global Studies and other professional schools, including Education, Media & Journalism, and Social Work.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship program offers individuals committed to peace and development the opportunity to pursue a masters-level degree. Rotary Peace Fellowships are offered annually on a competitive basis for study at the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center. Through academic training, study, and practice the Rotary Peace Centers program develops leaders who are catalysts for peace and conflict resolution in their communities and around the globe.
FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS
Rotary Peace Fellows are supported by the fellowship for the 21-month duration of the program. The fellowship includes full tuition and other university fees, a monthly stipend for room and board, transportation and stipend for a summer internship, funding for participation in academic conferences, and transportation between the fellow’s home and study destination at the start and end of the fellowship period.
Monthly Seminars
As an important part of our peacebuilding and development curriculum, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center organizes 6-8 monthly seminars and workshops during the academic year for Fellows. These events vary but may include a private meeting with a major public figure, a visit by a “practitioner-in-residence”, or a workshop led by outside experts in the field of peace and conflict resolution. Some of our seminars are open only to Rotary Fellows while others are public events. Recent examples include:
- Do No Harm workshop led by staff from the CDA Collaborative Learning Projects
- Two-day visit by practitioner-in-residence Joseph Sany, Technical Advisor in Peacebuilding and Mitigation, FHI 360
- Racial Equity Groundwater Presentation led by trainers from the Racial Equity Institute
- Peace- and development-related film series, including films such as Without a Fight and A Whisper to a Roar
- Partnering with the Private Sector for Peace workshop led by staff from PartnersGlobal
In addition, the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center organizes professional development workshops each year, including public speaking, grant proposal writing and teambuilding.
All Rotary Peace Fellows must take part in a summer internship, also called Applied Field Experience (AFE). The AFE is a requirement of the Rotary Peace Fellowship and is funded, at least in part, by the fellowship.
The AFE takes place at the conclusion of the first year of study, during the summer break. Most internships are for a duration of 8-12 weeks and give Fellows hands-on experience as a complement to the academic work learned in the classroom. Rotary Peace Fellows arrange their own internships with assistance from the Managing Director, the MIDP Professional Development Coordinator and RPF alumni.
Past Rotary Peace Fellows at the Duke-UNC Rotary Center have undertaken internships in organizations around the world, including:
- Institute for Economics & Peace, Mexico
- UN Population Fund, Thailand
- Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network, Canada
- Community Land Protection Program, NAMATI, Liberia
- One Million Community Health Workers Campaign, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Save the Children, Washington DC
- Institute for Conflict Research, Northern Ireland
- UNDP-Peacebuilding Fund, Sri Lanka
- Center for Conflict Resolution, Uganda
- World Bank, Washington DC
During the first academic year, all Fellows from Duke and UNC participate in a two-day professional development trip to Washington DC, which is organized in cooperation with the MIDP program at Duke. Fellows attend a series of informational meetings at the World Bank and numerous other NGOs and international organizations which are headquartered or have offices in the area. Time is also built into the schedule to allow participants to arrange their own meetings and interviews. This excellent networking opportunity is often the first step in arranging the required summer internship. All costs associated with this trip are covered.
FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Up to 10 Rotary Peace Fellows are selected for the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center each year.
Rotary Peace Fellows must have:
ROTARY PEACE FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE
Typical Application Timeline for Studies Commencing in Fall. Most up to date information is found on the Rotary Peace Fellowship application website.
The information in this section is specific to the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center.
**The fellowship application includes a section where candidates rank their center preferences. Candidates who want to study at Duke or UNC should rank the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center as number 1.**
May – June: Candidates should be interviewed by a Rotary endorser. The Rotary Foundation headquarters staff will assist applicants with this step.
July – October: The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Peace Centers’ university partners screen applications and select fellowship awardees.
Late October — Early November: Fellowship awardees are notified of their selection.
November – February: Fellowship awardees then complete and submit their applications to UNC departments/schools or Duke MIDP. Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center staff work with the candidates and the departments to facilitate the process. Being chosen for a fellowship does not mean you have been admitted to the university.
April: University admissions decisions are generally known by now.
August: New Rotary Peace Fellows arrive to begin their studies.
Additional information regarding the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS exams.
[1]Test scores must be provided to the Rotary Foundation by the fellowship application deadline. Check the application for more details.
HOW TO APPLY
“The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a truly unique opportunity for me. It’s not only about the generous award that makes it possible to study here in the first place. What’s even more is the international network, the trainings, the career support and the fellowship with inspiring professionals from all over the world – that’s what’s changed my life. Thank you, Rotary!” – Johanna Schubert
