P.E.O. International Scholar Awards

Scholarship Sponsored by Philanthropic Educational Organization International

The Scholar Award is a merit-based, one-time award designed to acknowledge and foster academic excellence and achievement among women pursuing doctoral-level studies. Besides promoting excellence in higher education, these awards offer partial support for study and research for women who are expected to make significant contributions in their respective fields. All candidates are put forward by a local P.E.O. chapter.

Qualification Criteria

A woman can be considered for a P.E.O. Scholar Award if she:

• receives a nomination from 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 consideration of 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:

• 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

Applying later in the doctoral program when evidence of achievement is more comprehensive often provides a more detailed view of an applicant’s professional work.

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 submits a nomination, the P.E.O. Executive Office will send the applicant instructions and a link to an online application via email.

The nominee is tasked with completing the online application packet and submitting it by the individually assigned 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.

P.E.O. Scholar Awards Policies, Procedures and General Information

If you are interested in the P.E.O. Scholar Award but do not know a P.E.O. member, you can complete a potential applicant form. However, filling out this form does not guarantee a nomination for an award.