4. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Up to $12,500 · For women pursuing graduate study · Any field
Established in 1949, the International Peace Scholarship Fund is run by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization built around advancing women’s education. It isn’t STEM-exclusive, but it’s genuinely open to any field, including engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences, and it exists specifically to support international women studying in the U.S. or Canada with the explicit goal of fostering global understanding through education.
Who it’s for
- Women who are citizens of a country outside the United States and Canada (U.S. or Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not eligible, though students with tax residency only are permitted to apply)
- Applicants admitted to full-time graduate study, working toward a master’s or doctoral degree, at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada
- Students with a full year of formal coursework remaining who will be enrolled and in residence for the entire school year, dissertation-only PhD candidates don’t qualify as first-time applicants
What it covers
Up to $12,500, based on demonstrated financial need. The award isn’t intended to cover all academic or personal expenses, applicants must show additional resources, such as family funds, tuition waivers, assistantships, or other scholarships, to meet their full estimated costs.
How selection works
The eligibility and application window typically runs from mid-September through mid-December for eligibility forms, with the full application due in the new year, though exact dates shift by cycle and should be confirmed on P.E.O.’s official site. Award announcements typically follow in the spring.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the citizenship, enrollment, and coursework-remaining requirements before starting, since these are checked closely
- Prepare documentation of your admission status and a clear financial need statement, including any additional funding sources you already have lined up
- Submit your eligibility form within the published window, followed by the full application
- Be ready to articulate how you intend to use your degree to make a positive impact after returning to your home country