P.E.O. Scholar Awards

Established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women pursuing doctoral-level degrees at accredited colleges or universities in the U.S. and Canada.

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Focus Areas: Supports women in doctoral-level programs 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.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be nominated by a local P.E.O. chapter
• Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada at time of nomination
• Must have at minimum a bachelor's degree
• Must be within two years of graduation date
• Must have at least one full academic year of work remaining to complete doctoral-level degree (measured from August 1 when first award payment is made)
• For multiple-degree programs (e.g., M.D. and Ph.D.), must be within two years of completing entire program
• Must be enrolled in program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university
• Study abroad permitted if enrolled in U.S. or Canadian postsecondary institution
• Applications evaluated on nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection

Selection Criteria

Board of Trustees evaluates applicants on:

• Nominee's proposal and potential to make significant contributions in field(s) of endeavor 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

Award Types

Endowed Scholar Awards: Designated honor awards supported by special endowed funds held by P.E.O. Foundation. Donor or family selects name designation. Interest from principal provides award funding.

Named Scholar Awards: Gift or bequest by individual(s) and/or chapter(s) equal to award amount for academic year. Donor selects name designation. Top scholars selected by board of trustees, with selection considering donor's wishes, interests, and geographic area when possible.

Timeline

• Chapter nomination period: August 20 - November 20 each year
• All nominees notified of award status by May 1
• Endowed and named scholars notified of special distinction after June 1

Application Process

1. Chapter Nomination: Applicants are nominated by local P.E.O. chapters. Chapter nomination period is between August 20 and November 20 each year.

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

3. Application Completion: Nominee is responsible for completing online application packet and submitting by individually designated due date. Each nominee is given 45 days to complete application.

4. Required Materials:
- Information about research or essay about significance of applicant's chosen field
- Three letters of recommendation from university professors or professional mentors
- Evidence of scholarly activities
- Academic awards and honors documentation
- Official or unofficial academic records
- Career objectives statement

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 full policies and procedures for details).

Nomination Calendar

| Nomination Year (Fall) | Academic Year | 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 |