In a world increasingly shaped by global cooperation, education remains one of the most powerful tools to promote peace, equity, and development. Among the many initiatives that champion these causes, the PEO International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity for women around the world. Founded in 1949, IPS has supported thousands of international women pursuing graduate education in the United States and Canada, developing a generation of leaders committed to making a positive impact on their home countries.
Origins Rooted in Peace
The IPS Fund was born from a visionary moment in 1919 when Franc Roads Elliott, one of the founders of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), submitted a resolution for international peace to the Supreme General Assembly. Her belief in the power of education to promote peace laid the foundation for a transformative scholarship program. Thirty years later, in 1949, her vision was embodied in the establishment of the International Peace Scholarship Fund, a project dedicated to promoting peace through education.
Since its founding, IPS has embodied the values of global sisterhood, academic excellence, and social responsibility. In 1951, the program was expanded to include international students attending Cottey College, a women’s liberal arts and sciences college in Missouri owned by the PEO Sisterhood. This expansion further strengthens the organization’s commitment to empowering women through education.
Purpose and Impact
The core mission of the IPS Fund is to provide financial assistance to women pursuing graduate degrees at accredited institutions outside the United States and Canada. Scholarships are not simply financial rewards, they are a catalyst for change. IPS recipients are selected based on their academic potential as well as their willingness to return to their home countries and use their education to promote peace, development, and social advancement.
Over the decades, IPS scholars have become educators, health care professionals, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Their work has impacted countless lives and proven that investing in women’s education brings exponential returns to society.
Scholarship details
IPS funds award scholarships based on demonstrated financial need, but are not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. Applicants must demonstrate that they have additional financial resources to support their studies. These resources may include personal or family funds, tuition waivers, job opportunities, teaching assistantships, research grants, and other scholarships.
The maximum amount awarded to a student is $12,500, but lower amounts may be awarded depending on individual circumstances. This flexible approach allows IPS funding to support a variety of students with varying financial needs.
Importantly, IPS does not fund online courses, research-only programs, internships, or practical training unless combined with formal coursework. A doctoral student who is solely focused on completing coursework and writing a thesis cannot be a first-time applicant.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for an IPS scholarship, applicants must meet several key requirements:
- nationality: Applicants must be female from a country other than the United States and Canada.
- academic intent: Must be pursuing an advanced degree (master’s or doctoral degree) from an accredited university in the United States or Canada.
- residence: Applicants must be enrolled and in residence for the entire school year.
- Commitment to Impact: You must be willing to return to your home country after completing your studies and contribute positively to the local community.
- coty college student: International students currently enrolled at Cottey College can also apply.
Citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada are not eligible. However, only students who are residents for tax purposes can apply.
Application Schedule and Procedure
The IPS application process is structured and time sensitive. Prospective applicants must adhere to the following schedule for the 2026-2027 study period:
- September 15, 2025: IPS begins accepting eligibility forms.
- December 15, 2025: Deadline for submission of eligibility forms.
- February 1, 2026: Deadline for application documents for applicants already enrolled in the graduate program of their choice.
- March 15, 2026: Deadline for application documents for applicants who have not yet registered and for applicants currently enrolled at Cottey College.
- May 2026: Information on scholarship payments.
- June 1, 2026: This is the last day for students to receive IPS scholarships.
The application process begins with submitting an eligibility form, which can be accessed through the official IPS portal, IPS Application Form.
Applicants must provide detailed information about their academic background, financial resources, career goals, and commitment to community impact. The IPS Board of Directors oversees the student selection process to ensure that each recipient aligns with the mission and values of the scholarship.
The role of PEO sisterhood
The PEO Sisterhood is a charitable organization that has promoted educational opportunities for women since 1869. With more than 6,000 chapters and nearly 250,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, PEO is a powerful network of women dedicated to supporting one another through education, friendship, and service.
The IPS Fund is one of six education projects sponsored by PEO, along with the PEO Education Loan Fund, PEO Continuing Education Program, PEO Scholar Awards, PEO STAR Scholarship and Cottey College ownership. Each of these initiatives reflects the organization’s firm belief in the transformative power of education.
Through IPS, PEO members are actively involved in identifying, mentoring, and supporting international female scholars. Their participation goes beyond financial support and provides encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging to students living in a new country.
story of change
The true impact of the IPS Fund is best revealed through the stories of its beneficiaries. From rural villages in Africa to bustling cities in Asia, IPS scholars return home equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive change.
An IPS graduate from Nepal used her public health degree to start a maternal health initiative to reduce infant mortality in remote communities. Another scholar from Nigeria became a university professor, mentoring young women in STEM fields and advocating for gender equality in education.
These stories are not isolated. It has a ripple effect of empowering women through education. Each IPS beneficiary becomes a harbinger of peace, progress, and possibility.
challenges and opportunities
Although the IPS Fund has achieved remarkable success, it continues to struggle to meet the growing demand for scholarships. The cost of graduate education in North America is rising, and many international students have difficulty securing adequate funding. The IPS Fund relies on donations, fundraising, and the generosity of PEO members to sustain its mission.
To expand its reach, IPS is seeking partnerships with universities, foundations, and global organizations that share its commitment to women’s education and peace-building. This collaboration will allow us to increase scholarship funding, serve more students, and expand the impact of our programs.
conclusion
The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund is more than a financial aid program. It is a movement rooted in hope, education, and global sisterhood. By investing in the academic journeys of international women, IPS develops leaders who return home to advance their communities and promote peace.
As the world faces complex challenges from climate change to inequality, the need for educated, passionate, and visionary leaders has never been greater. IPS continues to tackle these challenges, one scholar at a time.
For women aspiring to pursue graduate studies in the United States or Canada, IPS offers not only funding but also a path toward change. And for those who believe in the power of education to change the world, supporting IPS is a meaningful way to make that vision a reality.