PG&E Foundation Awards $327,500 in STEM Scholarships

The Better Together STEM Scholarship Program funds 57 students in PG&E's service area, with awards of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Scholarships

PG&E Foundation Awards $327,500 in STEM Scholarships

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The PG&E Corporation Foundation has awarded $327,500 in scholarships to STEM students, with 57 recipients from PG&E's service area receiving funds through the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program. Awards are granted in amounts of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000.

Why it matters

The program has awarded nearly $8 million since 2012 and is funded by PG&E shareholders rather than customer rates. Eligibility was expanded to include historically Black colleges after applicants were admitted to such institutions, none of which are located in California.

Scholarships of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 are funded by PG&E shareholders and not recovered through customer rates. Recipients must enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the 2026-2027 academic year and may reapply annually for up to five years.

The players

PG&E Corporation Foundation

The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit separate from the utility company PG&E.

The details

Scholarships are based on academic achievement, demonstrated participation and leadership, and financial need. Separately, PG&E's 11 employee resource groups and three engineering networking groups award additional scholarships, with more than $6 million raised and awarded since 1989.

The ERG/ENG scholarship fundraising and awards began in 1989.
The Better Together STEM Scholarship Program began awarding scholarships in 2012.
Recipients must enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The PG&E Foundation announced the $327,500 in scholarships on Nov. 6, 2026, and National STEM Day was celebrated Nov. 8, 2026.

Culture Shift

The Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded nearly $8 million since 2012, extending a multi-year effort to direct utility-backed funding toward students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math degrees. The award round reflects a wider pattern of corporate foundations channeling shareholder money into STEM education rather than customer rate recovery.

Students in PG&E's service area who plan full-time undergraduate study for the 2026-2027 academic year may apply for these awards. Recipients can reapply annually for up to five years, which may help offset college costs for families in Northern and Central California.

The takeaway

Students pursuing STEM degrees who meet the academic, participation and financial-need criteria can seek support through corporate foundation programs. Because awards can be renewed for up to five years, early application may build a multi-year funding path.