P.E.O. International Scholar Awards

Scholarship Sponsored by Philanthropic Educational Organization International

The P.E.O. Scholar Award is a merit-based, one-time grant designed to acknowledge and foster academic distinction and accomplishment among women pursuing doctoral degrees. The award not only celebrates excellence in higher education but also offers partial financial support for women who are poised to make substantial contributions in their respective fields. Candidates for this award are put forward by a local P.E.O. chapter.

Qualification Criteria

A woman can be considered for the P.E.O. Scholar Award if she meets the following criteria:

• has been nominated by a local P.E.O. Sisterhood chapter
• is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada at the time of nomination
• holds at least 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.

Applications from individuals who meet these eligibility criteria will be assessed on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, or P.E.O. connection.

Evaluation Criteria

The Scholar Awards Board of Trustees assess applicants based on the following:

• the 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

Applicants are often advised to apply later in their doctoral program when they can provide more comprehensive evidence of their professional achievements.

Application Procedure

Nominations for applicants are made by local P.E.O. chapters. The nomination period runs from August 20 to November 20 each year. Once a chapter has submitted a nomination, the P.E.O. Executive Office will send the nominee an email containing instructions and a link to the 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 be indicated 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 informed of their award status by May 1. Prospective scholars must agree to certain conditions of acceptance. Full details can be found in the policies and procedures.