P.E.O. Scholar Awards

Program Type: Merit-based award for doctoral-level study

Overview:
The P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) were 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 program recognizes and encourages academic excellence and achievement by providing partial support for study and research for women who have the potential to make significant contributions in their varied fields of endeavor.

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Focus Areas:
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 other doctoral fields.

Eligibility Requirements

A woman is eligible for consideration 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 a bachelor's degree at minimum
• Is within two years of her graduation date
• Has at least one full academic year of work remaining to complete her doctoral-level degree (measured from August 1 when first award payment is made)
• For multiple-degree programs (e.g., M.D./Ph.D.), must be within two years of completing the entire program
• Is enrolled in her program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university
• Study abroad is permitted if enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian postsecondary institution

Non-Discriminatory Evaluation: Applications are evaluated without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, or P.E.O. connection.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on:

• Nominee's proposal and potential to make significant contributions in her field(s) or 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: It is often better to apply further into the doctoral program when evidence of achievement is more complete.

Awards

• Maximum Award: $25,000
• Endowed Scholar Awards: Designated honor awards presented to top scholars, supported by special endowed funds held by the P.E.O. Foundation
• Named Scholar Awards: Gifts or bequests by individual(s) and/or chapter(s) equal to the amount of an award for that academic year
• Notification: All nominees notified of award status by May 1

Application Process

1. Nomination Phase: Local P.E.O. chapters nominate applicants between August 20 and November 20 each year

2. Applicant Notification: After chapter submission, the P.E.O. Executive Office emails the applicant with instructions and a link to the online application

3. Application Completion: Nominee is responsible for completing the online application packet. Each nominee is given 45 days to complete the application. The nominee's individual due date will appear on her application form.

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

5. Award Notification: All nominees notified of 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 For | 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 |