Supporting Women…Changing the World!
P.E.O. Scholars have demonstrated their ability to make significant contributions in their chosen field of study, having assumed leadership positions in university academics, scientific research, medicine, law, performing arts, international economics, history, literature, government and other demanding fields.
The program provides 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.
Touching Lives, Encouraging Hopes of Top Scholars
Since 1991, the P.E.O. Scholar Awards have recognized and encouraged academic excellence and achievement by a monetary award that provides partial support for study and research for women who have the potential to make significant contributions in their varied fields of endeavor. Through financial support and enthusiastic participation of P.E.O. chapters and individuals, the project has grown to remarkable proportions, touching the lives and encouraging the hopes of fine women scholars.
Through the years, scholars have pursued various fields of study 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 more.
The potential of these scholars, who are at the top of their fields, will have a positive impact on society, which affirms the outreach of P.E.O. and reinforces the goal of P.E.O. Scholar Awards to become one of the premier academic awards for women in the U.S. and Canada.
Lift Up Women Who Reach for the Stars
Supporting women in the top of their fields has a long-lasting and far-reaching impact. With the monetary support of a P.E.O. Scholar Award, scholars convey gratitude for easing the financial burden of pursuing a post-doctoral degree. Women who pursue post-doctoral degrees in male-dominated fields often face more obstacles and have to work harder than their male counterparts. The P.E.O. Scholar Award provides more than just financial assistance; it has the distinction among prestigious scholarships of providing P.E.O.’s unique personal connection with the scholars.
Recipient Highlights
P.E.O. Scholar Award Recipient Dr. Brianna Morgan
"Receiving the P.E.O. Scholar Award during my Ph.D. program allowed me to creatively design a research study that gave back to the participants."
Watch Brianna speak at the 2023 Convention of International Chapter.
P.E.O. Scholar Award Recipient Samantha Cooper
“Your generosity has made it possible for me to continue to access the materials I need to make dissertation progress, in spite of the ongoing pandemic, and it is because of the work you do that I have been able to continue to do what I love most.”
P.E.O. Scholar Award Recipient Lyla June Johnston
“Receiving the P.E.O. Scholar Award means to me that the world is ready to honor, uplift and learn from Native American knowledge.”
Endowed and Named Scholar Awards
Endowed Scholar
An Endowed P.E.O. Scholar Award is a designated honor award presented to a top scholar and supported by special endowed funds held for P.E.O. Scholar Awards by the P.E.O. Foundation. The donor or family most often selects the name designation. The principal of each endowed fund provides the interest for the funding of the award.
Endowed scholars are notified of their special distinction after June 1. Special certificates are prepared and sent directly to the awardees with a letter from the chair of the board of trustees. The donor contact of the endowment is also notified by letter from the chair of the board of trustees announcing the recipient of the award.
Named Scholar
A Named P.E.O. Scholar Award is a gift or bequest by an individual(s) and/or chapter(s) equal to the amount of an award for that academic year. The donor most often selects the name designation. Top scholars are selected as recipients of named awards by the board of trustees from among all P.E.O. Scholar Awards for that year. If possible, selection of the scholar will take into account the donor’s wishes and interests and the donor’s geographic area.
Named scholars are notified of their special distinction after June 1. Special certificates are prepared in the office and sent directly to the awardees with a letter from the chair of the board of trustees. The chair will also send a letter to the donor announcing the recipient of the award.
PSA Policy Guidelines & Procedures
Read the policies and procedures that guide our decision-making when choosing qualified candidates for a P.E.O. Scholar Award.
