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The Peace Fellowship program brings together rising leaders dedicated to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconciliation.
Opportunity Details
Around the world, conflict is growing more complex. Multilateralism is in crisis, norms are eroding, and global systems are under pressure. New technologies and emerging threats—like disinformation, climate stress, political polarization, and social fragmentation—are reshaping how conflict emerges and unfolds, and how it must be addressed.
This changing landscape demands a new kind of leadership: grounded in context, capable of navigating uncertainty and complexity, and committed to building sustainable peace in and across divided societies.
The Yale Peace Fellowship, hosted by the International Leadership Center (ILC) at Yale University, brings together 16 rising leaders each year who are working on the frontlines of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconciliation. Fellows come from a range of professional backgrounds—including civil society, diplomacy, politics, religion, and social enterprise—and are selected for their demonstrated impact and commitment to reach their full potential as peace leaders.
The Fellowship is designed to support leaders at a critical moment in their careers—offering space to learn, connect, and prepare for the challenges ahead. It is a space for thoughtful engagement with the strategic dilemmas and dimensions of peace leadership today.
In a world where formal mechanisms for peace are often under strain, and where local innovation and leadership is increasingly vital, the Yale Peace Fellowship seeks to strengthen the capacity of those working to prevent violence and repair divided communities.
Program Components
Applications for the 2026 cohort of the Yale Peace Fellowship are now open through September 2, 2025.
The program provides:
Applicants should:
Peace Fellows must be available to fully participate in all parts of the program, including in-person for two weeks of the program: a week-long international study trip (February 1-5, 2026) and a convening on Yale University’s campus in New Haven (April 13-17, 2026).
Admission is highly competitive. Each cohort of fellows is geographically balanced and represents a wide range of professions, talents, experience, cultures, people, and perspectives.
Application Information
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Yale Peace Fellowship. The application deadline for the 2026 program is September 2, 2025, at 14:00 pm.
The application process for admission to the Peace Fellows Program is done entirely online. There are no paper forms to complete or mail. There is no application fee or other cost to apply or participate. All costs for travel, lodging, food, etc. associated with the program will be covered.
Prior to the deadline, you may work on your application at any time and submit it when you are ready. After creating an account and accessing the online application, you can upload materials and request your letters of recommendation. Applicants are required to submit a résumé/curriculum vitae (maximum three pages), a brief video statement, a personal statement (maximum 600 words), and one letter of recommendation.
Apply for Yale Peace Fellowship