If you’re interested in pursuing a career in peace and conflict studies, there are several scholarships available to help fund your education. Here are just a few examples of scholarships that can help you pay for school:
Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study
These scholarships are offered to citizens of developing Commonwealth countries for Master’s and PhD study in the UK, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Students must choose to apply for a UK university with which the CSC has a funding agreement. While all Master’s (one-year) or PhD programs at participating universities are valid, the CSC gives priority to applications that have a strong connection to development studies.
The CSC awards around 300 of these scholarships each year. The funding covers airfare to and from the UK, tuition and exam fees, personal stipend, thesis grant (when applicable), initial arrival stipend, and more. All applications must be made through a nominating agency, usually a university, in the student’s home country Applications must be submitted online through the CSC Electronic Application System.
Are you interested in a career in peacebuilding and human rights?
Our eBooks, “Launching Your Career in Human Rights” and “Peacebuilding Careers: An Introductory Guidebook” provide insights, practical steps, and guidance to help you navigate these fields. Explore career paths, learn how to network effectively, and create a strategic plan for your professional journey. Find out more.
Eligible students should be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person; be permanently a resident in a developing Commonwealth country; be available to start their academic studies in the UK by the timeline specified in the application deadline; and hold a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree by the beginning of the starting academic semester.
Rotary Peace Fellowships
Any students endorsed by their local Rotary Club/District are eligible for this fully funded academic fellowship for a Professional Development Certificate Program or Master’s degree program related at one of seven host universities: North Carolina University at Chapel Hill (USA), Duke University (USA), International Christian University (Japan), University of Bradford (England), University of Queensland (Australia), Uppsala University (Sweden), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand). Students must choose a field of study related to peace and conflict resolution and prevention.
Rotary chooses 100 students to be awarded each year—50 for master’s degree studies and 50 for certificate studies. Funding covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all expenses related to internships and field-studies. Students must submit applications to their respective Rotary districts to be nominated.
This program is designed for applicants who are professionals with work experience in international relations or peace and conflict resolution studies. Eligible applicants should be proficient in English with a recommended proficiency in a second language, committed to international understanding in peace as demonstrated by their professional and academic experience, and developed in strong leadership skills. Master’s applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of full-time work or volunteer experience. Certificate applicants must have a strong academic background and a minimum of five years of related full-time work or volunteer experience.
Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants for Development
The Rotary Foundation also offers a scholarship for graduate-level coursework/research for one to four academic years at any approved university where a host Rotary club/district is located, outside of the applicant’s home country. Students must be part of a graduate-level program in one of the designated areas: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.
Scholarships are valued at a minimum of $30,000. Funding provides for passport/visa, immunizations, travel expenses, school supplies, room and board, tuition, household supplies, and language training. Other personal and miscellaneous expenses are not covered by the scholarship. Students must apply through their local Rotary clubs and submit the applications online. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility requirements are determined by the individual Rotary club/district where potential recipients intend to apply and can typically be found on the club’s scholarship page.
Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA)
The CSLA provides fully funded Master’s degree study to individuals from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Laos, Libya, Myanmar/Burma, Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan who demonstrate academic and professional excellence, as well as a commitment to positive social change in their communities. Students can study at one of several host universities throughout Europe and the US. Funding covers Master’s programs in the areas of communications, journalism, & media; culture, history, & society; development studies; economics; education management & leadership; environment & natural resource management; gender studies; human rights; law; politics & international studies; public health policy & health management; public policy & administration; social work & social policy.
The CSLA will provide funding for pre-academic preparation through summer schools; program-related travel; tuition and mandatory university fees; room, board, etc. through a living stipend; accident and sickness insurance; educational materials and professional development; attendance at regional Scholarship Programs conference; accommodations during the application process and the duration of the grant for any applicants with disabilities. Interested applicants must submit an application online or in paper to be considered.
Eligible applicants should have citizenship in an eligible country; maturity, flexibility, and civil society leadership potential; a Bachelor’s degree finished in the previous academic year and an excellent academic record; professional experience in a relevant area; proficiency in the language of instruction at the host university; ability to participate in an intensive pre-academic summer school; ability to receive and maintain a visa or study permit; demonstrated commitment to return to their home country/region to continue supporting open society development.
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Masters Scholarships
This scholarship program offers graduates from developing countries the chance to obtain a Master’s degree in the areas of social, political, or economic development at one of eight German universities with relevant Master’s degree programs. The program is open to candidates from eligible countries in Africa, Latin America, North/Central America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
This scholarship exempts students from tuition fees and pays a monthly scholarship rate, currently €750. This program also provides funding for health insurance in Germany, appropriate travel allowance, study and research subsidies, rent subsidies, and allowances for spouses and/or children if applicable. All scholarship recipients will receive a 6-month German language course prior to their study programs. Students must apply for the DAAD scholarship through the respective participating universities.
Applicants for this scholarship program should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and want to actively contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries. Both recent graduates and mid-career professionals are eligible to apply. Applicants must be fluent in English (and German), have academic excellence, be engaged politically and socially, and demonstrate personal motivation as well as the expected benefit after they return to their home country.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for International Students
The European Union offers exclusive scholarships to students from both EU and non-EU countries who have been selected to study at the Master’s or Doctorate level at one of the European universities participating in the Erasmus Mundus Action Joint Programmes. Students can participate in one of 116 Master’s courses or 29 Joint Doctorate courses in the fields of agriculture and veterinary, engineering, manufacture and construction, health and welfare, humanities and arts, science, mathematics and computing, social sciences, business, and law. Two categories of scholarships are available—one for nationals from EU member states and Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein and one for nationals from countries outside of that list.
The program offers full-time scholarships and fellowships that cover a monthly stipend, participation costs, traveling and insurance costs, etc. Scholarship amounts varies according to the level of study, duration of study, and the student’s nationality. Students should consult the websites of each of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes of interest before applying.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Programme has its own selection criteria and admission process. Students must apply through these programs prior to applying for the scholarship program.
OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarship Award
OFID offers a scholarship program for nationals of developing countries to study development in any accredited university in the world. Scholarships are for Master’s level studies in fields related to development, including economics, environment, sustainable development, etc.
The award covers full tuition fees, supplementary fees, one round-trip flight between the home country and the university, health insurance, relocation expenses, and a monthly stipend for one year. Applicants must fill out an application online, including uploading supporting documents.
Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 23-32, have a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent, be accepted at an accredited university for the following academic year with full-time status for the duration of the Master’s program, be a national of a developing country except OFID member countries, and have selected a subject of study related to international development.
George Washington University Global Leaders Fellowship
The Global Leaders Fellowship provides funding for graduate students at George Washington University who are from the following countries/regions: China, Cambodia, Eastern Europe, Laos, Latin America, the Caribbean, Mongolia, Sub-Saharan Africa, USSR Successor States, and Vietnam. The fellowship is intended to support students who will be future leaders in their respective fields in their home countries. Students must be pursuing Master’s or Doctorate level degrees at one of six schools located at GW’s Foggy Bottom campus.
The fellowship offers 3 awards, covering up to 18 credit hours. This fellowship is renewable each year for up to three years for Master’s students and up to five years for Doctoral candidates. Students must find other funding for living costs, supply costs, and other expenses. Students must apply for admission through the online process before applying for the fellowship.
Eligible applicants will be students with an F-1 visa from the above-listed countries who have not studied or worked in the US or other country outside of their home country. Students must have gained admission to GW and be attending their program at the Foggy Bottom campus. Applicants also must be fluent in English. This program is intended for students who will return to their home countries after completing their degrees to begin their careers as leaders in their fields.
Payne International Development Fellowship
This fellowship program, funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID), awards seven fellowships valued up to $48,000 for a two-year master’s program in international development or a related field. Fellows will attend an orientation to learn more about international development careers. They will also participate in two internships (before the first year of graduate study and in the summer in between). The first internship will focus on working on international issues in Washington, DC. The second internship will be overseas at a USAID Mission. Each fellow also receives a mentor throughout the program. Fellows who successfully complete their degree and the USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will be appointed as USAID Foreign Service Officers, which they are committed to for a minimum of three years.
Only U.S. citizens are eligible for this fellowship. Applicants must be seeking to enter graduate school in the subsequent fall semester for a two-year program at a US university. Applicants also need to have a 3.2 grade point average or higher. College seniors and/or college graduates may apply.
AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women provides this fellowship to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents, who are interested in part-time or full-time graduate and/or postgraduate studies in the US. This award is given to women who have shown prior commitment and demonstrate continued commitment to the advancement of women and girls through civic, community, and professional work, especially in their home countries. Award amounts are as follows: Master’s – $18,000; Doctoral – $20,000; Postdoctoral – $30,000. While there are no restrictions on countries of eligibility or field of study, the website provides a list of highly desired qualities that the selection committee considers when choosing to accept applications.
To be eligible, applicants must have citizenship in a country other than the US and/or possession of a non-immigrant visa (if living in the US). Dual citizenship with the US is not eligible. Applicants must also have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent completed by the year previous to the beginning of the fellowship. They must intend to stay with their proposed academic plan and intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career. Applicants must also be fluent in English and enrolled in a US accredited institution during the fellowship year. Please see the website for a list of degree-specific qualifications and deadlines.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
Each year, the Trudeau Foundation awards up to 15 scholarships to Canadian and international doctoral candidates who are studying in a variety of areas. The scholarship provides $40,000 for three years, plus $20,000 for research and travel allowance for three years. There is also opportunity for funding for a fourth year. Recipients also meet with a mentor and receive support from a variety of community members and leaders, mentors, fellows, and others working in humanities and social sciences. They also collaborate with Foundation members and discuss and exchange information with other scholars and researchers.
Eligible applicants include full-time first or second year students who are enrolled in a doctoral program in humanities and/or social sciences and Canadian citizens enrolled in a full-time doctoral program in or outside of Canada. Up to one in four scholars per year may be a non-Canadian enrolled in a full-time doctoral program at a Canadian institution. Applicants are evaluated on academic excellence, communication skills, public engagement, desire to contribute to public dialogue, desire for involvement in the research community, and the relevance of the doctoral research with the Foundation’s four focus areas.
Carnegie Endowment For International Peace Junior Fellows Program
The Carnegie Endowment For International Peace Junior Fellows Program offers 10 to 12 fellowships every year to individuals who are committed to fostering a more peaceful society. To qualify for a fellowship, students must be seniors who recently graduated or will soon graduate from one of the 400 colleges and universities affiliated with the endowment. Graduate students are not eligible for the program. Fellows have the opportunity to work for one year as research assistants to the senior associates whose research is funded by the Endowment. All fellows receive a salary of $3,166.66 per month ($38,000 per year) plus a full benefits package.
Dalai Lama Fellows
Since its inception, the Dalai Lama Fellows Program has provided opportunities for more than 130 individuals interested in promoting peace throughout the world. The program is open to current undergraduate and graduate students in the United States, Ghana, India and Egypt who are enrolled at a participating university. Fellows have the opportunity to work on projects related to lessening economic disparity, fighting violence, addressing gender inequity, enhancing cross-cultural and interreligious cooperation, and improving environmental sustainability. Students receive one-on-one coaching, a position in the one-year Head, Heart, Hands leadership curriculum and a lifelong place in the fellowship’s global community for ongoing support.
The Davis Projects for Peace Grants
For more than a decade, The Davis Projects for Peace has been helping students work to promote peace throughout the world. The program provides grants for undergraduate students and graduating seniors who have an idea for a grassroots peace building project. Applications are accepted from students at more than 90 universities in the United States as well as from students at the University of California Davis. Winning projects are awarded $10,000. The program also provides administrative and technical support to help get projects underway. Projects can be implemented anywhere in the world and must focus on addressing the causes of conflict between individuals or groups.