George Pessotti Peer Support Scholarship
Supporting Burn Survivors and Their Communities
Burn Survivors of New England (BSONE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is honored to offer the George Pessotti Peer Support Scholarship. This scholarship is named after George Pessotti, one of our founding members, who has dedicated over 40 years to providing peer support to burn survivors and their families. It is designed to support burn survivors, caregivers, and family members who demonstrate a commitment to paying forward the support and care they have received within the burn community, as George has done for decades.
Preference will be given to applicants residing in New England. This scholarship provides partial funding for attendance at burn survivor-related events and conferences (such as the Phoenix WBC, BSONE Gala/Luncheon, etc.), focused on peer support, healing, and community-building.
Scholarship Details: Who Can Apply
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
● Be a burn survivor, parent of a burn survivor, or family member/caregiver actively involved in the survivor’s recovery.
● Demonstrate a commitment to peer support and a willingness to "pay it forward" to the burn community.
● Be 18 years of age or older.
● Preference will be given to New England residents.
Additional notes:
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A REAL ID and credit/debit card are required to apply (used for hotel incidentals not covered by the scholarship).
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Caregivers accompanying burn survivors must complete their own application and meet all eligibility requirements.
Application Requirements
To apply, applicants must:
1. Complete the George Pessotti Peer Support Scholarship Application form (downloadable below).
2. Submit all required documentation, including:
○ Copy of a valid REAL ID.
○ Doctor’s clearance for travel (if the burn injury occurred within the last two years or physical therapy is ongoing).
○ Article submission: A 125-250 word reflection.
○ Signed consent and liability waivers.
3. Ensure that caregivers traveling with the recipient submit their own application.
Article Submission Guide
Applicants must submit a 125-250 word article reflecting on the following:
Introduction
○ Who you are (burn survivor, caregiver, family member, etc.).
○ Your connection to the burn survivor community.
Your Burn Experience
○ How did the burn injury happen?
○ How has the experience impacted your life or the life of your loved one (physically, emotionally, or socially)?
○ What challenges have you faced during recovery or caregiving?
Peer Support
○ How have you been involved in peer support?
○ How has peer support impacted your recovery or caregiving journey?
○ Why do you believe peer support is important for burn survivors and caregivers?
Paying It Forward
○ How do you plan to "pay it forward" to the burn community?
○ How will you use your experience at this event to support others in your community?
How to Apply
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Download and complete the scholarship application using the link below.
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Mail your completed application, along with all required documentation, to:
Burn Survivors of New England
C/O George Pessotti Peer Support Scholarship
PO Box 541535
Waltham, MA 02454
Application Periods
● January 2025 - May 2025 (Deadline: May 1, 2025)
● June 2025 - November 2025 (Deadline: November 1, 2025)
● December 2025 - May 2026 (Deadline: May 1, 2026)
Application Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by George Pessotti. Scholarship award letters will be sent to the address on the application. For inquiries, contact us at bsoneoffice@gmail.com.
Download the Application
Click below to download the George Pessotti Scholarship Application