Peace & Conflict Studies Scholarships (Verified Links) | 2026 Deadlines & Funding

A curated, monthly-updated list of scholarships, fellowships, and research grants for Peace & Conflict Studies. 20+ opportunities. Verified links, amounts, and deadlines sorted Jan→Dec + Rolling/TBA.

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship — Fall 2026 cohort

💥 Why It Slaps: Break into DC peace & security policy with a paid, 6–9 month fellowship + pro dev funds.
💰 Amount: ~$4,074/month + health insurance, travel, and PD stipend.
⏰ Deadline: January 9, 2026 (Fall 2026 cohort). Spring 2026 cohort deadline was Oct 20, 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://scoville.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Boren Fellowships (Graduate)

💥 Why It Slaps: Fund long-term overseas language study tied to U.S. national security & peace/conflict work.
💰 Amount: Significant graduate funding for immersive language study.
⏰ Deadline: January 21, 2026 (national).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.borenawards.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Boren Scholarships (Undergraduate)

💥 Why It Slaps: Support a semester or year of intensive language study that’s directly relevant to conflict regions.
💰 Amount: Significant undergraduate funding for immersive language study.
⏰ Deadline: January 28, 2026 (national).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.borenawards.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program (Carnegie Endowment)

💥 Why It Slaps: A paid, one-year research fellowship in DC working on Democracy, Conflict & Governance, International Security, etc.
💰 Amount: Paid full-time fellowship (salary + benefits).
⏰ Deadline: January 15 (typical) via campus nomination; check your school’s internal deadline.
🔗 Apply/info: https://carnegieendowment.org/james-c-gaither-junior-fellows-program?lang=en — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Harry Frank Guggenheim (HFG) Emerging Scholar Awards

💥 Why It Slaps: Dissertation-stage funding for research on violence, aggression, and dominance (core to conflict studies).
💰 Amount: Dissertation support; competitive multi-thousand-dollar awards.
⏰ Deadline: February 1 (typical); see current cycle details.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.hfg.org/emerging-scholars/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Rotary Peace Fellowship (Master’s & Professional Certificate)

💥 Why It Slaps: Flagship full-funding program at Rotary Peace Centers (Bradford, Duke–UNC, Uppsala, UQ, ICU, Makerere, Chulalongkorn).
💰 Amount: Tuition, fees, room/board, travel, and field-study costs covered.
⏰ Deadline: May (prior cycle due May 15, 2025; next cycle opens Feb 2026—watch for official date).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Public Policy & Good Governance) — Germany

💥 Why It Slaps: Fully-funded master’s in governance, public policy, and development—core skills for peacebuilding.
💰 Amount: Full scholarship incl. monthly stipend, health insurance, travel; no German tuition.
⏰ Deadline: July 31, 2026 (2026 intake windows vary by university; see DAAD page).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/helmut-schmidt-programme/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship

💥 Why It Slaps: Grad school + paid internships → pipeline to U.S. Foreign Service (diplomacy, conflict prevention).
💰 Amount: Robust package (tuition + living + internships).
⏰ Deadline: September (typical); 2024 cycle closed Sep 19—expect similar timing for 2025.
🔗 Apply/info: https://rangelprogram.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship

💥 Why It Slaps: Fully-funded grad path to State Department Foreign Service (peace, conflict, and security tracks).
💰 Amount: Up to ~$42,000/year for two years + internships & mentoring.
⏰ Deadline: Late September (typical); last cycle closed Sep 26, 2024—watch for 2025 date.
🔗 Apply/info: https://pickeringfellowship.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Chevening Scholarships (UK Master’s)

💥 Why It Slaps: Fully-funded one-year master’s in the UK—popular pick for Peace/Conflict and Security studies.
💰 Amount: Tuition, stipend, travel, visa, and more.
⏰ Deadline: October 7, 2025 (12:00 UTC).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.chevening.org/apply/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship — Spring 2026 cohort

💥 Why It Slaps: Launch a policy career in peace & security with top DC NGOs and think tanks.
💰 Amount: ~$4,074/month + benefits & PD funds.
⏰ Deadline: October 20, 2025 (Spring 2026 cohort).
🔗 Apply/info: https://scoville.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship

💥 Why It Slaps: Grad funding + paid internships → pathway to USAID Foreign Service (stabilization, humanitarian response).
💰 Amount: Substantial: tuition, stipend, internships.
⏰ Deadline: October (typical); last cycles closed in late October—watch official page for 2025 date.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.paynefellows.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

USIP Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship

💥 Why It Slaps: Non-residential dissertation funding on conflict management, peacebuilding, and security studies.
💰 Amount: Up to $20,000.
⏰ Deadline: November (typical); competition opens each September.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/jennings-randolph-peace-scholarship-dissertation-program/peace-scholar-applicati-0 — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS — U.S. Dept. of State)

💥 Why It Slaps: Fully-funded intensive language study critical to conflict/peace careers (Arabic, Russian, Persian, etc.).
💰 Amount: Fully-funded summer program.
⏰ Deadline: November (typical); 2025 cycle is closed—2026 opens in early October with a November due date.
🔗 Apply/info: https://clscholarship.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) — Women (non-U.S./Canada)

💥 Why It Slaps: Need-based funding for international women pursuing graduate study in the U.S. or Canada.
💰 Amount: Up to $12,500.
⏰ Deadline: December 15, 2025 (eligibility/app window Sep 15–Dec 15).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.peointernational.org/educational-support/international-peace-scholarship-fund/eligibility-and-application-process/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Rolling / Campus-Set / TBA Deadlines

Notre Dame — Kroc Institute Ph.D. in Peace Studies (Fully Funded)

💥 Why It Slaps: Full tuition + stipend + health insurance at a top research institute.
💰 Amount: Full funding package (multi-year).
⏰ Deadline: Departmental graduate deadlines vary by year; see program page.
🔗 Apply/info: https://kroc.nd.edu/ph-d/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Notre Dame (Keough) — MGA: International Peace Studies Scholarships

💥 Why It Slaps: All admitted to International Peace Studies receive scholarships; prestigious placements.
💰 Amount: Significant tuition scholarships (varies).
⏰ Deadline: Varies by admission round; see funding page.
🔗 Apply/info: https://kroc.nd.edu/masters/funding-and-professional-development/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

University for Peace (UPEACE) — Scholarships & Aid

💥 Why It Slaps: Peace-only university (Costa Rica) with multiple named and partner scholarships.
💰 Amount: Partial to full tuition (varies by program/fund).
⏰ Deadline: Varies by program and funder.
🔗 Apply/info: https://upeace.org/scholarship-opportunities/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Uppsala University — Global Scholarships (Master’s in Peace & Conflict)

💥 Why It Slaps: Tuition-waiver scholarships for the Peace & Conflict Studies Master’s at Uppsala.
💰 Amount: Full/partial tuition waiver (no stipend).
⏰ Deadline: Early 2026 (exact date posts with application cycle).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.uu.se/en/study/masters-studies/scholarships/uppsala-university-scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

University of Bradford — Peace Studies & Int’l Development Scholarships (UK)

💥 Why It Slaps: Dedicated awards for one of the world’s oldest Peace Studies schools.
💰 Amount: Tuition reductions/awards (varies; some automatic).
⏰ Deadline: Varies by scholarship.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/peace-studies-and-international-development-scholarship-2024-25/— ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

IPRA Foundation — Peace Research Grants

💥 Why It Slaps: Seed funding for fieldwork and research on peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
💰 Amount: Modest research grants (varies by cycle).
⏰ Deadline: Cycles vary; program reopens Jan 1, 2026.
🔗 Apply/info: https://iprafoundation.org/grants-info/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Davis Projects for Peace (Undergraduate peace projects)

💥 Why It Slaps: Launch a $10K peacebuilding project over the summer via your campus nomination.
💰 Amount: $10,000 project grant.
⏰ Deadline: Campus-set (often Jan–Feb); national program timeline on site.
🔗 Apply/info: https://davisprojectsforpeace.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

AAA-ICDR Foundation — Diversity Scholarship Fund (ADR/Conflict Resolution)

💥 Why It Slaps: Build dispute resolution skills relevant to peacebuilding; supports course fees/exams.
💰 Amount: Up to $2,000 per award.
⏰ Deadline: Multiple rounds; see current call.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.aaaicdrfoundation.org/diversity-scholarship — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Peace Corps — Paul D. Coverdell Fellows (RPCVs)

💥 Why It Slaps: Tuition funding + internships at partner universities (many offer Peace/Conflict tracks).
💰 Amount: Varies by university; many partial/occasionally full tuition awards.
⏰ Deadline: University-set (varies).
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.peacecorps.gov/educators-and-students/university-programs/coverdell-fellows/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

University of Denver — Korbel School “Sié Fellows” (MA in Intl Security)

💥 Why It Slaps: Highly competitive full-tuition fellowship focused on security, peace, and diplomacy.
💰 Amount: Full tuition (select cohort).
⏰ Deadline: Posted each cycle; see program.
🔗 Apply/info: https://korbel.du.edu/sie/people/students/sie-fellows/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

American University SIS — MA in International Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Scholarships

💥 Why It Slaps: Multiple merit awards for peace/conflict master’s students in DC.
💰 Amount: Tuition scholarships (varies by award).
⏰ Deadline: Posted per admission cycle.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.american.edu/sis/ipcr/funding.cfm — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

George Mason Univ. — Carter School Scholarships (Peace & Conflict Resolution)

💥 Why It Slaps: Dozens of peace-focused awards (e.g., Saunders, Avruch, Laue) supporting research, fieldwork & tuition.
💰 Amount: Typically $1,000–$3,500+; some renewable; GRAs include tuition + stipend.
⏰ Deadline: Multiple dates annually; see page for current calls.
🔗 Apply/info: https://carterschool.gmu.edu/current-students/scholarships-and-funding — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

University of San Diego — Kroc School Scholarships (Peace & Justice)

💥 Why It Slaps: Named scholarships and aid at a specialized peace school; strong practitioner network.
💰 Amount: Tuition scholarships (varies); Coverdell for RPCVs also available.
⏰ Deadline: Posted per admission cycle; multiple rounds.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.sandiego.edu/peace/academics/jd-mapj-concurrent-degree/tuition-and-financial-aid.php — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program (Study/Research & ETA)

💥 Why It Slaps: Funded research/teaching worldwide—great fit for conflict & reconciliation projects.
💰 Amount: Tuition/fees (as applicable), monthly stipend, travel, insurance.
⏰ Deadline: National deadline October 2025; campus deadlines earlier.
🔗 Apply/info: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/study-research — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Geneva Academy — LLM/MTJ Scholarships (IHL, Human Rights & Transitional Justice)

💥 Why It Slaps: Train in humanitarian law & transitional justice—legal core of conflict and peacebuilding.
💰 Amount: Full/partial tuition; limited living-cost support.
⏰ Deadline: Mid-January (typical); see current cycle.
🔗 Apply/info: https://www.geneva-academy.ch/masters/study-with-us/scholarships — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund (Social Justice Activism)

💥 Why It Slaps: Need-based support for student activists working on peace/justice issues.
💰 Amount: Need-based awards (amounts vary by year).
⏰ Deadline: April (typical); see current cycle.
🔗 Apply/info: https://davisputter.org/ — ✅ Link verified Sep 22, 2025.

Monthly Update — September 2025

Boren posted 2026 national deadlines (Fellowships Jan 21, 2026; Scholarships Jan 28, 2026). borenawards.org
Scoville confirmed Spring 2026 due Oct 20, 2025 and Fall 2026 due Jan 9, 2026. United States Institute of Peace
Chevening opened 2026–27 with a firm deadline of Oct 7, 2025 (12:00 UTC). Chevening
P.E.O. IPS application window is Sep 15–Dec 15, 2025; max award $12,500. P.E.O. International
USIP Peace Scholar: competition opens September; recent cycles closed in November. United States Institute of Peace
Rotary Peace Fellowships: 2027–28 cycle will open Feb 2026; prior due dates were in May. rotary.org

Notes for Applicants (quick tips)

Many university-based awards have earlier departmental or campus deadlines (weeks/months before national). Always check your school’s dates.
“Amount” varies by cohort; for precise figures and eligibility (citizenship, degree level), use each official page above.
For international programs (Chevening, DAAD, Uppsala, Geneva), verify visa timelines and proof-of-funds requirements early.

FAQs — Peace & Conflict Studies Scholarships

1) Who’s eligible for “peace & conflict” funding—do I have to major in Peace Studies?
Not necessarily. Many awards consider adjacent majors (International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Law, Public Policy, Area Studies, Security Studies, Human Rights, Development, Environmental Studies, ADR/mediation) if your plan clearly advances conflict prevention, peacebuilding, or post-conflict recovery.

2) Are there options for undergrads and grads?
Yes. Undergrads often see language and summer project funding plus study-abroad support. Grad students see tuition scholarships, paid fellowships, and research/fieldwork grants.

3) What GPA do I need?
National fellowships tend to be competitive (often 3.3–3.7+), but many programs review holistically. Strong language prep, methods training, and real-world impact can offset a slightly lower GPA.

4) Do I need fieldwork or activism already?
It helps. Demonstrate sustained engagement (research assistantships, community work, mediation clinics, advocacy, humanitarian response) with measurable outcomes and lessons learned.

5) Will these fund field research abroad?
Often, yes—if you show a realistic plan, risk management, ethical approvals (IRB where applicable), data protection, and local partnerships. Some exclude high-risk locations.

6) Do awards cover full costs (tuition and living)?
Some are full-ride; others cover tuition only or provide stipends/travel. Read the fine print on insurance, visa fees, pre-departure training, and contingency funds.

7) Can I stack (combine) multiple awards?
Sometimes. Many funders allow stacking if you’re not double-billing the same expense. Disclose everything and prioritize the award with stricter rules when conflicts arise.

8) Are there service commitments?
Certain programs include public-service obligations (e.g., government language/security awards; foreign-service pipelines). Understand duration, role expectations, and what happens if you don’t complete.

9) I’m an international student—am I eligible?
It depends. U.S. government–funded programs usually require U.S. citizenship. University scholarships and private foundations may be open to international students; check each listing.

10) Do online or part-time programs qualify?
Many funders prefer in-person, full-time study, but some accept online/part-time. Confirm enrollment requirements, residency rules, and in-person components (intensives, practicums).

11) What makes a standout statement of purpose?
Show a tight causal chain: the conflict problem → evidence-based intervention → your skills/role → partnerships → feasibility & risks → monitoring/learning plan → longer-term impact.

12) Who should write my recommendation letters?
Aim for: (1) a methods-strong academic, (2) an issue-area scholar/practitioner, and (3) a supervisor/community partner who saw you execute. Provide each recommender a tailored brief with bullets and deadlines.

13) How important are language skills?
For many awards, critical. Tie language study to your region of interest and career path. State proficiency targets (e.g., ILR/CEFR), timeline, and how you’ll maintain/assess progress.

14) Can I defer if plans change?
Some funders allow a single deferral (6–12 months). Others don’t. Ask early; deferrals can affect visa timing, insurance, and host-institution slots.

15) How competitive are these programs?
Very—especially national fellowships. Differentiate with an uncommon combo: credible field partnership, quantitative/qualitative methods, language trajectory, and clear policy/practice relevance.

16) What about taxes?
Tuition-only portions may be non-taxable; living stipends are often taxable in the U.S. Keep documentation and consult a tax professional for your situation.

17) How do I show “impact” beyond good intentions?
Include outputs (e.g., workshops delivered, datasets produced, policy memos), outcomes (participant skills, adoption by local partners), and a basic monitoring & evaluation plan with pre/post indicators.

18) Is ADR/mediation considered “peace & conflict”?
Yes—especially when linked to justice, governance, or community reconciliation. Explain how ADR complements broader conflict analysis and peacebuilding strategies.

19) Any tips for campus-nomination programs?
Start 8–12 weeks early. Campus deadlines are often weeks before the national deadline. Book writing center appointments, mock interviews, and internal faculty reviews.

20) I’m DACA/undocumented—are there paths for me?
Many federal awards restrict eligibility. Focus on university funds and private foundations open to your status. Your campus scholarship office and legal aid can help identify options.

21) How do I sanity-check a “new” scholarship?
Look for an official .edu/.org host page, clear eligibility and selection criteria, past cohorts, and a named staff contact. Be cautious of application fees, vague details, or requests for sensitive data.

22) Suggested application timeline (generic):

Aug–Sep: Shortlist programs, meet advisors, draft project concept.
Oct–Nov: Draft essays, secure letters, confirm host partners.
Dec–Jan: Finalize budget, ethics approvals, language/testing plans.
Feb–Apr: Submit, track portals, prep for interviews.
(Adjust to the month-by-month schedule on your page.)

Peace & Conflict Studies Scholarships (Verified Links) | 2026 Deadlines & Funding

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