P.E.O. International Scholar Awards

Welcome to P.E.O. We are a Sisterhood of women who are purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting and motivating women. Our mission is to help women around the world advance through education.

Scholar Awards

The P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) was established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. The maximum award amount is $25,000.

Eligibility and Application Process

The Scholar Award is a one-time, competitive, merit-based award is intended to recognize and encourage academic excellence and achievement by women in doctoral-level programs. In addition to recognizing and encouraging excellence in higher education, these awards provide partial support for study and research for women who will make significant contributions in their varied fields of endeavor. All applicants are nominated by a local P.E.O. chapter.

Eligibility Requirements

A woman is eligible for consideration for a P.E.O. Scholar Award if she:

• is nominated by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
• is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada at the time of her nomination
• at a minimum, has a bachelor’s degree
• is within two years of her graduation date and has at least one full academic year of work remaining to complete her doctoral-level degree as measured
• from the time the first award payment is made (August 1). Those in a multiple-degree program (e.g., pursuing both an M.D. and a Ph.D.) must be within two years of completing the entire program from that date.
• is enrolled in her program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. Study abroad is permitted provided the student is enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian postsecondary institution.

The applications of individuals who satisfy these eligibility criteria will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

Selection Criteria

The Scholar Awards Board of Trustees evaluate applicants on the following:

• nominee's proposal
• potential to make significant contributions in her field(s) of endeavor or to make a positive impact on society
• recommendations from three university professors or professional mentors
• evidence of scholarly activities (publications, presentations, patents, performances, etc.)
• academic awards and honors (honor societies, scholarships, etc.)
• academic record
• career objectives

It is often better to apply further into the doctoral program when evidence of achievement is more complete, giving a more thorough picture of an applicant’s professional work.

Application Process

Applicants are nominated by local P.E.O. chapters. The chapter nomination period is between August 20 and November 20 each year. After a chapter submits a nomination, the P.E.O. Executive Office will email the applicant instructions and a link to an online application.

The nominee is responsible for completing the online application packet and submitting it by the individually designated due date. Each nominee is given 45 days to complete the application. The nominee’s due date will appear on her application form.

The form requires information about research or an essay about the significance of the applicant’s chosen field, three letters of recommendation, evidence of scholarly activities, awards, academic records, career objectives, etc.

All nominees will be notified of their award status by May 1. Prospective scholars must agree to certain conditions of acceptance. Find full details in the policies and procedures.