Education Awards

The FAWCO Foundation Education Awards Program was created by and for FAWCO and FAUSA members. The cornerstones of the program are the importance of fostering peace through knowledge and the belief that education is essential to developing peace-loving attitudes in children. The FAWCO Foundation seeks to promote international understanding and goodwill by offering these annual awards for study in the U.S. or abroad at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. The Program rewards and honors academic excellence and the all-around achievements of our members and their families.

Since the program's inception in 1972, FAWCO members and their families from around the globe have benefited from the Education Awards. Each year, The Foundation adjusts the program to address the changing needs of members and their children.

Who is eligible?

The Foundation Awards Program is open to all FAWCO and FAUSA members and their children, regardless of nationality, and regardless of whether or not the affiliated Club has made a contribution to The Foundation’s programs. The Dual Cultural Award is also available to members' grandchildren and has its own specific nationality requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: Efffective immediately, applicants must have been a member of a FAWCO club or FAUSA or have been an individual member of FAWCO for a minimum of 16 months by the January 27, 2023 application deadline. i.e. You must have been a member as noted above by September 27, 2021.

Members (and the children/grandchildren) of the Board of Directors of FAWCO, The FAWCO Foundation and FAUSA are not eligible for Education Awards.

How to Apply

Do you or your child/grandchild plan on submitting an application for the 2024 Awards? Please consult the Month-by-Month Application Timeline below for some useful advice on timely submission of your application. Feel free to use the Watermarked Education Award Applications to gather your information and transfer that information to the 2024 application when it is available in the fall.

The 2023 WATERMARK Education Award Applications are available.

Academic Awards 2023

These awards support the educational endeavors of the children of our FAWCO family.

Arts Award $4000, sponsored in part by the family and friends in memory of Jessie Rodell, former President of the AWC of The Hague, and her son, Quinn Rodell

For undergraduate or graduate study in the history, theory and/or practice of the performing arts, visual arts, film and media arts, architecture or graphic arts.

Sciences Award $4000, sponsored in part by AIWC Genoa and the Bacigalupo Family, in memory of Dr. Frieda Bacigalupo Natali

For undergraduate or graduate study of the scientific subjects biology, chemistry and physics, as well as mathematics and medicine.

Humanities Awards $4000, sponsored in part by AAWE Paris, in memory of Gertrude de Gallaix

For undergraduate or graduate study in fields including, but not limited to, education, law, social studies, history and languages.

Non-University/Technical Award 2023

Non-University and Technical Training Award $4000

For an individual enrolled in a training program or a course of study at a trade school, either of which will conclude with a vocational certification.

Dual Cultural Award 2023

This award is intended for children and grandchildren of FAWCO and FAUSA members who are between the ages of 13-18, hold a US Passport and have been living outside the USA for at least six years.

Dual Cultural Award Eligibilty Requirements

Dual Cultural Award - $3000

Sponsored in part by the AWC Bern and Donna Erismann in memory of Susanne Erismann

To be used to attend a semester or year of American high school or an academic or structured educational summer program in the United States.

Member Awards 2023

These awards recognize the diverse lives of our members, their achievements, and their never-ending quest for knowledge and self-improvement.

Shirley Kearney AWC Basel University Study Degree Award $4000

For continuing or resuming studies in an undergraduate or graduate level university degree program.

FAUSA Skills Enhancement Award $4000

For acquiring new skills or enhancing already existing ones, which will allow a FAWCO or FAUSA member to become more capable, competent and confident by acquiring the skills to improve performance in any given field.

The FAWCO Foundation Skills Enhancement Award $4000

Sponsored in part by Carol McEowen from AWC Bern, recipient of the 2012 FAUSA Skills Enhancement Award

For acquiring new skills or enhancing already existing ones, which will allow a FAWCO or FAUSA member to become more capable, competent and confident by acquiring the skills to improve performance in any given field.

Continuing Education Award $4000

Sponsored by Mary Stewart Burgher of the AWC Denmark, in memory of Pauline "Pete" Arnold Schweppe

For a FAWCO, FAUSA members to further their education at university or an equivalent level through courses, workshops, and certificate programs. Subjects can encompass all areas of interest—inter alia, journalism, writing, the arts, and philanthropy—as well as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and medicine.