Application Steps:
1) Choose which graduate program you will apply for in conjunction with your Peaceworker application (be sure to check our FAQ pages to make sure the program you are applying for is compatible with the Peaceworker Fellowship). While the GRE is not required for admissions to the Peaceworker Program, it may be required for admissions the degree programs. Take the GRE, should your graduate program require it (please see your individual academic program of choice’s webpage to determine if you need to take the GRE). The GRE submission code for UMBC is 5835. Apply for your graduate program of choice.
2) Complete the Peaceworker Online Application by January 9th, 2024
The following items are required uploads within the online application*:
- A Peace Corps Description of Service (DOS), or a draft DOS if you are still in service
- Academic transcripts (a .pdf of your unofficial transcript is fine)
- A resume
- A personal statement
Additionally, the emails of two recommenders are required as a part of the Shriver Peaceworker Fellowship Application:
- One recommender should be a supervisor-level person from your Peace Corps Service (APCD, CD, PCVL where appropriate)
- The second recommender should be someone who knows you in an academic or professional setting.
Fill Out and Submit a FAFSA to UMBC using code 002105 (students planning to study at University of Maryland, Baltimore should submit their FAFSA to UMB instead)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is a key component of your application to the Peaceworker Fellowship. It must be completed by early March, but and can be submitted as early as you like. Submit to UMBC using the school code 002105. While Federal Work Study funds contribute to the funding of our program, you do not have to be work study eligible to receive the fellowship. If you are applying to a graduate program at a school other than UMBC, you should send your FAFSA to that institution.
Application Timeline
This year’s submission deadline is 11:59pm on January 9th.
If your application remains in consideration after the first round of reviews, you will be contacted via email for a video interview. These interviews are an opportunity to discuss your interests and fit with the program in more detail.
The Peaceworker program will announce admissions decisions before April 15th in most cases.
Additional info: Peaceworker accepts applications on an annual basis for 6-8 fellowships which begin in late-July of each year. Separate admissions applications are required for each graduate degree program (please refer to the website of the graduate degree program of your choice for deadlines and admission requirements). Acceptance into the Peaceworker Program is contingent upon admission to your selected graduate program at either UMBC or one of our Consortium partners. The availability of fellowships involving degrees at consortium schools changes from year to year. Please call us to confirm that your consortium program choice is available for the current year before applying. Specific questions about degree program requirements should be directed to the appropriate department.
The award of a Peaceworker fellowship is contingent upon acceptance into your graduate program. For this reason we strongly encourage you to apply to your graduate program at the same time as you’re applying for Peaceworker, even if that program has a later Spring application deadline.