How to Apply for the Women PeaceMakers Fellowship

Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship will open March 2025.

The Fellowship

Since 2002, the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ) at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School has hosted the Women PeaceMakers Fellowship program. The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for peacebuilders who focus on issues of gender, peace and conflict to engage in a cycle of learning, practice, research and participation that strengthens peacebuilding partnerships. The Women PeaceMakers Fellowship facilitates impactful collaborations between peacebuilders from conflict-affected communities and international partner organizations. The Fellows also co-create research intended to shape the peacebuilding field and highlight good practices for peacebuilding design and implementation.

Fellowship Objectives

Learn from and with other Fellows and the Kroc School team.
- Learn about the Fellowship and past Fellows.
Gain new skills, perspectives, and innovative approaches to peacebuilding.
Expand their professional peacebuilding networks.
Drive forward vital peacebuilding research that focuses on shaping practice and policy.
- Read past research from the Fellowship.

Dates

September - July.

Residency at the University of San Diego

Fellows will complete a two-week residency at the University of San Diego in the United States, usually in November. These dates are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 pandemic and Fellows’ travel requirements.

Stipend

Fellows will receive a stipend of USD $15,000 plus expenses for their participation in the program.

Eligibility

Anyone who considers themselves a peacebuilder working to reduce cycles of violence through a focus on gender, peace, and conflict is welcome to apply. People of all genders, including transgender and non-binary or gender-fluid people, are eligible for a fellowship. The Women PeaceMakers Fellowship program does not consider sex, gender, or any other protected status as part of the application and selection process. Applicants may come from any country, as long as they will be able to travel to the United States for the residency. Applicants must have at least five years of peacebuilding experience and must speak sufficient English to participate fully in Fellowship activities.

Fellowship Themes

Each year, the Fellowship is centered on a theme that will structure the research. Strong applicants will have experience and knowledge specific to that theme.

Application and Fellowship Timeline

March: Applications open.

April-May: Application review.

June: Applicants notified of selection decision.

September: Fellowship begins.

November: Residency at the University of San Diego.

July: Completion of Fellowship.

Requirements and Expectation of Fellows

1) Fellowship activities and outputs.

Fellows are expected to engage in all of the Fellowship's activities and drive forward the research process. These activities include appearing in public events.

2) Identify and collaborate with International Partners.

One of the most important goals of the Fellowship is to work with International Partners to exchange ideas and identify strategies to build more effective local/global collaborations to drive forward impact.

3) Conduct original research.

Throughout the Fellowship, the Fellows will capture critical insights into how women are leading efforts to address violence.

4) Travel for the residency.

Fellows participate in a two-week residency at the University of San Diego, with expenses covered by the Kroc IPJ. Applicants should expect to be involved with full-time program activities throughout the two-week residency.

5) Become a member of the Kroc IPJ Women Waging Peace network.

Upon completing the Fellowship, Fellows will become part of the 1,000+ member Women Waging Peace network. The Kroc IPJ-based network provides a range of benefits to members.

6) Connect with the USD community.

Fellows are expected to engage with members of the University of San Diego community, treating all community members with respect and professionalism.

Application Requirements

In order to apply, applicants must:

Provide basic personal and contact information.
Respond to short open answer questions about why they are interested in the Fellowship, the expertise that makes them a good fit for the Fellowship and the specific theme for that year, and their interest or experience in conducting research.
Submit a short research proposal.
Submit a resume.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Be willing to participate in public events and share their experiences and information with the Kroc IPJ team and the broader public.
Have sufficient capacity in English to be able to participate in cohort meetings, share experiences in public events, and participate in research meetings.

If you have questions about the application process, please email womenpeacemakers@gmail.com.