P.E.O. Scholar Awards

P.E.O. Scholar Awards

Status: Active

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Focus Areas: Doctoral-level study and research across various fields including medicine, nursing, microbiology, immunology, English, rhetoric, composition, neuroscience, psychology, creative writing, physics, ecology, geography, biochemistry, aerospace engineering, aeronautics, astronautics, astrophysics, veterinary medicine, chronic disease epidemiology, history, engineering, anthropology, political science, urban planning, chemical engineering, environmental science, conservation, music, public health, orthopedics and many others.

Background: 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.

Eligibility Requirements

A woman is eligible 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 nomination
• Has at minimum a bachelor's degree
• Is within two years of her graduation date
• 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

Selection Criteria:

• 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

Note: Applications are evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

Special Recognition

Endowed Scholar: A designated honor award presented to a top scholar supported by special endowed funds held by the P.E.O. Foundation.

Named Scholar: A gift or bequest by an individual(s) and/or chapter(s) equal to the amount of an award for that academic year.

Contact Information

P.E.O. International Executive Office

Application Process

1. Nomination by Local Chapter: Chapter nomination period is between August 20 and November 20 each year

2. Executive Office Notification: After a chapter submits a nomination, the P.E.O. Executive Office will email the applicant instructions and a link to an online application

3. Online Application Completion: 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

4. Required Application Materials:
- Information about research or an essay about the significance of the applicant's chosen field
- Three letters of recommendation
- Evidence of scholarly activities
- Awards documentation
- Academic records
- Career objectives

5. Award Notification: All nominees will be notified of their award status by May 1

6. Conditions of Acceptance: Prospective scholars must agree to certain conditions of acceptance (see policies and procedures for full details)

Nomination Timeline

| Fall Nomination Year | Academic Year Applying | Nominee Graduation Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027-2028 | 4/2028 - 8/2029 |
| 2027 | 2028-2029 | 4/2029 - 8/2030 |
| 2028 | 2029-2030 | 4/2030 - 8/2031 |
| 2029 | 2030-2031 | 4/2031 - 8/2032 |