P.E.O. International Scholar Awards

Scholarship Sponsored by Philanthropic Educational Organization International

Description

The Scholar Award is a one-time, competitive, merit-based award that recognizes and encourages academic excellence among women pursuing doctoral-level programs. It provides partial support for study and research to candidates who demonstrate potential to make significant contributions in their fields. Nomination is required and must come from a local P.E.O. chapter. The award emphasizes both past achievement and future impact.

Description: A merit-based grant intended to support advanced doctoral study and research for women nominated by local P.E.O. chapters.

• One-time, merit-based award for doctoral-level women scholars
• Provides partial support for study and research
• Requires nomination by a local P.E.O. chapter

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requires nomination by a local P.E.O. chapter and U.S. or Canadian citizenship or legal permanent resident status at the time of nomination. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and be within two years of their doctoral program completion as measured from the first award payment (August 1), with at least one full academic year remaining. Candidates enrolled in multiple-degree programs must be within two years of completing the entire program. Enrollment must be at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution; study abroad is permitted if the student is enrolled through a U.S. or Canadian postsecondary institution.

Eligibility: Citizenship/residency, degree requirement, program timeline, accreditation, and nomination by a local chapter are mandatory conditions.

• Nomination by a local P.E.O. chapter is required
• U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident at nomination
• Minimum bachelor’s degree and within two years of program completion
• Enrollment at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution (study abroad allowed via home institution)

Selection Criteria

The Scholar Awards Board of Trustees evaluates applications on the quality and feasibility of the nominee’s proposal and the nominee’s potential to make significant contributions to her field or to society. Reviews also consider recommendations from three university professors or professional mentors, evidence of scholarly activities (publications, presentations, patents, performances), academic awards and honors, academic record, and stated career objectives. The combination of documented achievement and a clear plan for future work carries substantial weight. Applicants often present stronger cases when they apply later in their doctoral programs, when more evidence of achievement is available.

Selection Criteria: Proposal quality, potential impact, recommendations, scholarly record, honors, academic performance, and career objectives are primary factors.

• Evaluation focuses on proposal quality and potential impact
• Requires three recommendations from professors or mentors
• Considers scholarly output and academic honors
• Academic record and career objectives are important

Application Process

Local P.E.O. chapters submit nominations between August 20 and the annual November deadline; after a chapter nominates a candidate, the P.E.O. Executive Office emails the nominee instructions and a link to the online application. Each nominee is assigned an individual due date and is given 45 days to complete the online application packet. Required materials include a research statement or essay on the significance of the chosen field, three letters of recommendation, evidence of scholarly activities, awards, academic records, and career objectives. All nominees will be notified of award decisions by May 1, and prospective scholars must accept certain conditions as detailed in P.E.O. policies and procedures.

Application Timeline: Chapter nomination window (Aug 20–November); nominee receives an emailed link; 45 days to complete the application; notification by May 1.

• Chapter nomination period: August 20 through the annual November deadline
• Executive Office sends application link and instructions after nomination
• Nominee has 45 days to submit the online application
• Notification of award status occurs by May 1