Students pursuing degrees in any IEEE field of interest are eligible
During the past 13 years, the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) has awarded US $4.6 million in scholarships to undergraduate students in North America studying power engineering as part of its Scholarship Plus Initiative.
PES has increased the scholarship amount this year to $10,000, up from $7,000. Recipients, who do not have to be IEEE student members, are eligible to receive up to three years of financial support but must reapply each year. They can apply for the scholarship as early as their freshman year.
The scholarship is funded by donors. The increase is thanks in part to a $1 million donation from the Hoveida Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Bainbridge Island, Wash.
If recipients continue to meet the requirements, they receive $2,000 for each of the first two years and $3,000 for the third.
PES scholars are offered mentorship by leading professionals in the power and engineering industry. They also receive a free one-year student membership to IEEE and the society.
“The amount had not changed since the program was established [in 2011], but the cost of education has increased, so we wanted to ensure recipients received more financial support,” says Daniel Toland, director of PES operations.
The society also made other changes to the program based on feedback from supporters and donors. Previously, recipients were required to pursue a degree in power and energy, but the industry needs engineers with backgrounds in all IEEE fields of interest—not just power and energy—to meet its staffing needs, according to survey respondents.
The program is now open to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in other IEEE-designated fields of interest related to power and energy. They include electrical, civil, computer, environmental, and mechanical engineering; computer science; data analytics; renewable energy; and sustainability studies.
“The program’s main objective has always been to get as many undergraduate students as possible involved and engaged in the power and energy industry,” Toland says.
Students can apply online from 20 January to 30 April. To learn more, email pes-scholarship-info@ieee.org.
Amanda Davis is a freelance writer based in San Diego.
