Frequently Asked Questions

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Basics

What is Power Engineering?

Power engineering is a vital field of electrical engineering focused on the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electric energy. As the architects of the electric power grid—often called the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century—power engineers are essential to modern civilization.

The field encompasses a wide range of technologies and systems:

  • Power Generation: Sourcing energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro, and renewables like solar and wind.
  • Transmission & Distribution: Moving high-voltage electricity over long distances via power lines and substations, and then safely delivering it to homes, businesses, and industries.
  • Electrical Equipment: Designing and operating motors, generators, and transformers.
  • Power Electronics: Using inverters and converters for efficient energy control in applications like electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage.

Today, power engineering is at the forefront of innovation, driving the development of smart grids, automation, and AI to create more reliable, efficient, and sustainable power systems. This field is critical to the global transition to cleaner energy solutions and continues to shape the future of our energy infrastructure.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet all of the following requirements.

  • Academic Status: You must be a full-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a university, college, or community college in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada that offers undergraduate courses related to power engineering.
  • GPA: You need a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.A., Puerto Rico, or Canada.
  • Major: Your degree must be in an IEEE-related fields-
    • Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Information Technology
    • Physical or Biological/Medical Sciences
    • Mathematics
    • Technical Communication
    • Education
    • Management
    • Law & Policy

When can I apply for the scholarship?

The application period is 20 January to 30 April, every year.

Do I need to be an IEEE member to apply?

No, not for the first year. Individuals who are selected as PES Scholars will receive IEEE and PES membership free for one year. If you receive a scholarship, you are then responsible for maintaining IEEE and PES membership in order to be eligible for scholarship renewal.

I am a High School Senior – am I eligible to apply for the scholarship?

Unfortunately – a student who is in High School is not eligible to apply for the scholarship. An applicant must be at a university or college in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada that offers undergraduate courses in power engineering or at a community college. Additionally, the applicant must be planning (in the fall) on attending a university or college that has an ABET-accredited, 4-year electrical engineering program.

I am graduating in December of next year, so should I list myself as a Junior or Senior on my application?

Junior, since you will be attending school in September of that year.

Why is the program limited to individuals who are US Citizens or Permanent US Residents?

The reason for this requirement is because the program was established to address a specific need within the USA & Canada in regards to getting more undergraduates students involved in the Power & Energy Industry.  It’s been estimated that the power and energy industry will experience as much as a 50% turnover in engineers, and there’s increasing concern about the availability of highly-skilled, quality engineers.  This program was established to address this need & the industry requires that the individuals who fill these positions be US Citizens/US Permanent residents.

We are open to establishing a similar scholarship program in other parts of the world but we need individuals from the specific geographic area to take the lead and let us know what type of program would work for them.

In which countries is the PES Scholarship Plus Initiative active?

The Scholarship Plus Initiative is open to students who meet eligibility requirements in Canada, Puerto Rico, United States.

The Power & Energy Society is having discussions on expanding the program to other parts of the world.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Academic Preparation: Assessment of the applicant’s academic record, including GPA, declared major (electrical engineering or related), planned coursework in power and energy, and a supporting reference letter from a faculty member.
  • Extra-Curricular Activities and Leadership: Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and impact through volunteer activities, achievements, and other relevant non-academic experiences.
  • Interest in Power and Energy Engineering: The applicant’s expressed interest in the field as detailed in the personal statement and supported by the faculty reference.
  • Application Quality: The technical quality of the submission, including the clarity of writing, the completeness of responses, and the fulfillment of all eligibility requirements.
  • Career Potential: A holistic assessment of the student’s potential for a successful career in the power and energy engineering sector, based on all provided materials.

Application Requirements

I attended a community college and transferred to new school as a junior — should I include transcripts from only my current school?

Please provide transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended.

Is the GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher just the current semester/trimester or cumulative?

The GPA requirement is cumulative.

What IEEE Region is my school in?

The IEEE Regions are as follows:

  • Region 1 – Northeastern USA.
  • Region 2 – Eastern USA.
  • Region 3 – Southeastern USA
  • Region 4 – Central USA
  • Region 5 – Southwestern USA.
  • Region 6 – Western USA.
  • Region 7 – The territory of Canada
  • Region 9 – Puerto Rico

Nominator/Reference Requirements

Can my nominator/reference submit a recommendation letter directly to the Scholarship Committee?

No. Please include the email addresses of the references in the application.

Renewal Requirements

I am PES Scholar, but I did not find a career experience for this summer. Can I still renew my scholarship?

PES Scholars that are otherwise eligible for renewal but did not complete a career experience can still apply to renew their scholarship. The Selection Committee handles renewal applications on a case-by-case basis. You can strengthen your application by being actively engaged with your local IEEE student branch or PES Chapter, or if you have been involved in other extra-curricular power-related activities during the past year. Also note that a summer research position at your university does count as a career experience.

Career Experience

What qualifies as a power and energy engineering experience?

Experience Type

  • Summer Internship
  • Co-op (Cooperative Education) Program
  • Paid Engineering Job
  • University Research in Power and Energy

Primary Work Focus

  • The work must be centered on electrical systems, equipment, and facilities.
  • The role should involve tasks typical for a power and energy engineer, such as the design, development, construction, operation, or analysis of systems for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution.

Example Employers

  • Electric Utilities / Cooperatives
  • Generation or Transmission Companies
  • Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs)
  • Equipment Manufacturers
  • Engineering Service or Consulting Firms
  • Regulatory Agencies / Department of Energy / National Labs