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 Program rewards and honors academic excellence and the all-around achievements of our members and their families.
If you are a member of a FAWCO Club, FAUSA or an Individual Member these awards are for you and your family!
Congratulations to the 2025 Education Award Recipients!
2025 Education Awards Slate
Academic Awards
To support the educational endeavors of the children of our FAWCO family
Arts Award - $5,000
sponsored in part by the family and friends in memory of Jessie Rodell, former President of AWC 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 - $5,000
sponsored in part by AIWC Genoa and the Bacigalupo Family, in memory of Dr. Frieda Bacigalupo Natali
- For undergraduate or graduate study in any area of science; e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics and medicine.
Humanities Award - $5,000
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.
Women in STEM - $5,000
sponsored in part by Tharien van Eck, AWC Antwerp
- For the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, including the study of medicine, chemistry, computer and information technology science, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy for women and individuals who identify as women.
Non-University Award
To support the educational endeavors of the children of our FAWCO family
Non-University and Technical Training Award - $5,000
sponsored by Whitney Edwards AWC London, in memory of Dr. John H. Hoagland & Carolyn Hoagland
- 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
To support the educational endeavors of the children and grandchildren of our FAWCO family
Dual Cultural Award - $4,000
sponsored in part by AWC Bern in honor of Donna Erismann
- This award may be used to attend a semester or year of American high school or an academic or structured educational summer program in the United States.
Open Learning Award
To support the educational endeavors of the grandchildren of our FAWCO family
**NEW** Open Learning Jackie Isler Memorial Award - $5,000
- For a FAWCO or FAUSA member's grandchild to study in any post secondary school education program which results in a certificate, diploma or degree.
- Study can be University or Tertiary education.
FAWCO Member Awards
To 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 - $5,000
- For continuing or resuming studies in an undergraduate or graduate level university degree program.
FAUSA Skills Enhancement Award - $5,000
- 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.
**NEW** The FAWCO Foundation Skills Enhancement Award - $2,500
- 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.
**NEW** Fine Arts Award - $5,000
sponsored by AIWC Frankfurt, Taurus, Rhein-Main, in memory of Barbara Merlino
- To foster artistic expression and skill development for FAWCO or FAUSA members, enabling them to express themselves through various art forms, including but not limited to dance, digital art, drawing, mixed media, music, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
- The recipient is encouraged to use the funds to further their artistic journey and development in at least two or more of the following ways: education and training; artistic projects; professional development opportunities; materials and equipment that will support project development(s) and artistic growth.
- Note: Recipient cannot allocate the entire award solely to the purchase of materials and equipment.
Continuing Education Award - $5,000
sponsored by Mary Stewart Burgher of AWC Denmark, in memory of Pauline "Pete" Arnold Schweppe
- For a FAWCO or FAUSA member 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, arts, philanthropy as well as the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including medicine.
*These awards are sponsored by the ongoing generosity of our members.
Timeline
Autumn
Starting from mid-October
The next year's Awards are announced! Choose the Award best suited for your needs.
Review the applicable form, check what information you need, and begin gathering your documents and transcripts. These might take longer than you think!
Ask two individuals to write letters of recommendation for you. If letters of recommendation are not a tradition in the country where you live, please give these people an idea of what is to be included in a letter of recommendation.
Begin writing your two essays. This will give you plenty of time to edit and proofread them.
Autumn
Winter
Gather your information, finish (and review) your essays, and complete your application. Don't forget to have it proof read!
Deadline for submissions January 27th
Goodluck!
Spring
Results are announced at the annaul FAWCO Biennial Conference (or Interim Meeting) in March and are published to our website shortly thereafter.
If your received an Award, congratulations! If not, be sure to apply again in the next cycle.
Spring
Summer
Interested in applying for the next cycle?
Review your eligibility requirements and familiarize yourself with the past Awards to be ready for the fall!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Foundation Awards Program is open to all FAWCO, 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.
For Member Awards the applicant must be a FAWCO or FAUSA member in good standing for a minimum of 16 months as of application deadline. Please note: If the Member has transferred from one FAWCO Club to another Club or to FAUSA, or been accepted as a FAWCO Individual Member with an interruption of less than three months, the applicant will be considered as having met the time requirement.
For Academic and Non-University Awards, the applicant must have a parent who is a member in good standing of FAWCO or FAUSA. The parent must have been a member for a minimum of 16 months as of application deadline. They must be between the ages of 17 and 27 at the application deadline date and have at least one full academic year remaining in their studies.
For Dual Cultural Awards the applicant be between the ages of 13 and 18 at the application deadline date, have lived outside the U.S. for at least the last six years and must be in possession of a U.S. passport, have one parent who is a U.S. citizen and one parent who is a non-U.S. citizen, be the child/grandchild of a FAWCO or FAUSA member. The parent/grandparent must have been a member in good standing for at least 16 months at the application deadline and have not have previously received a Dual Cultural Award.
*Members (and the children/grandchildren) of the Board of Directors of FAWCO, The FAWCO Foundation and FAUSA are not eligible for Education Awards.
