

PHOENIX ENERGY SCHOLARSHIP
Empowering Future Generations of Oil and Gas Professionals
2026 PHOENIX ENERGY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT:
PARSA ALLAHBAKHSH

The Phoenix Energy Scholarship Committee has named Parsa Allahbakhsh as the recipient of the 2026 Phoenix Energy Scholarship. The $15,000 scholarship is paid directly to the recipient’s college or university and applied toward tuition. Allahbakhsh begins his studies in chemical engineering in the College of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, this fall.
Allahbakhsh’s interest in engineering and energy has developed through advanced coursework, laboratory research and engineering design. His technical experience includes carbon capture research, catalysis and computational materials modeling, as well as helping establish science, environmental and robotics programs at his school.
As he begins studying chemical engineering at Berkeley, Allahbakhsh plans to explore how the petroleum and chemical industries can improve efficiency while continuing to meet society’s need for energy and materials.
“I remember receiving the notification during orientation, just before the Chancellor’s speech ended with, ‘Welcome to UC Berkeley.’ It was an unforgettable moment. As a first-generation immigrant, this scholarship will significantly reduce the financial burden of college on my parents and me, allowing me to focus more fully on my education and take advantage of the opportunities Berkeley has to offer. I’m especially excited about chemical engineering because of its broad applications across fields such as energy storage, batteries, pharmaceuticals and petroleum,” Allahbakhsh said.
“Parsa has the technical curiosity and engineering mindset that make him an impressive scholarship recipient,” said Adam Ferrari, CEO of Phoenix Energy. “America is going to need talented engineers who understand both the importance of domestic energy production and the challenge of producing that energy more efficiently. We’re proud to support Parsa as he begins his studies in chemical engineering at Berkeley.”
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Phoenix Energy Scholarship empowers students pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry. This program awards a $15,000 scholarship to a student with strong academic credentials who is enrolled in a degree program, such as petroleum engineering, aligned with a career in oil and gas. To apply, eligible students must submit an essay between 2,000 and 3,000 words and meet all outlined eligibility requirements. Additional details are provided below.
The application window has now closed.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be students who will begin their first year of full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026.
- Students must be pursuing a degree (such as petroleum engineering) aligned with a career in the oil and gas industry.
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
GUIDELINES
We hope to benefit a student who has demonstrated strong academic achievement.
For that reason, in the form below, please submit (1) your high school GPA and (2) your GPA for any college courses you have taken to date, if applicable.
We also ask that you submit a 2,000–3,000 word essay describing your career goals (see details below). This essay is required and must be submitted before the application deadline.
ESSAY AUTHENTICITY AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
The Phoenix Energy Scholarship is intended to recognize students’ authentic experiences, perspectives, and career aspirations within the oil and gas industry. Applicants are expected to submit original work that reflects their own voice, technical understanding, insight, and personal motivation for pursuing a career in energy.
While limited use of tools for basic editing—such as spelling or grammar checks—may be acceptable, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate, substantially rewrite, or meaningfully shape the content, structure, or analysis of a scholarship essay is not permitted.
All submitted essays will be reviewed for originality and potential AI-generated content. Applications found to rely heavily on AI assistance in the creation of the essay will not be considered for the scholarship award.
By submitting an application, applicants affirm that their essay is primarily their own original work, accurately reflects their academic interests and career goals in the oil and gas industry, and complies fully with this policy.
APPLICATION WINDOW AND SUBMISSION DEADLINE
February 3, 2026 – June 30, 2026
The application window is now closed.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
The following timeline outlines the anticipated process for the 2026 Phoenix Energy Scholarship cycle. Dates are subject to minor adjustments but reflect the current review and selection schedule.
Application Period
- February 3, 2026 – June 30, 2026
The application window for the 2026 cycle has closed.
Finalist Selection
- By July 31, 2026
The Scholarship Committee will select three (3) finalists.
Finalists will be contacted to provide additional required materials, which may include:
- Academic transcripts or GPA verification
- Proof of identification
Finalist Interviews
- August 13, 2026 – August 21, 2026
Finalists will participate in Zoom interviews conducted by the Scholarship Committee. Interviews will last approximately 20–30 minutes.
Scholarship Award Announcement
- September 1, 2026
The scholarship recipient will be officially announced.
WINNER SELECTION AND AWARD DISTRIBUTION
The Phoenix Energy Scholarship will be awarded to one (1) student following the process outlined above. The selected recipient will be notified via email and will have two (2) weeks to formally accept the award. Failure to accept within this timeframe may result in disqualification, and an alternate recipient may be selected. The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify application information. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Official transcripts
- Proof of enrollment or acceptance
- Student identification
- The mailing address of the attending institution
Once the scholarship is formally accepted and all information is verified, funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s college or university and applied toward tuition.
PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Each year, the Phoenix Energy Scholarship highlights one recipient whose goals align with advancing responsible and innovative energy development. Here, we celebrate the winners of the Phoenix Energy Scholarship. Each recipient reflects Phoenix Energy's mission and Adam Ferrari's commitment to helping the next generation of leaders build meaningful careers in the energy sector.

2025 – BRODY PATTON
The 2025 recipient, Brody Patton, is a Petroleum Engineering student at Texas Tech University. He has demonstrated dedication to his studies and a vision for contributing to the future of energy. His goals include applying technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to industry challenges.

2024 – SKYLER MEUSE
In 2024, Skyler Meuse, a Petroleum Engineering student at Texas A&M University, was recognized for his commitment to energy innovation. He is actively preparing for a career in the petroleum industry, and his focus on academics and leadership aligns with the core values of the Phoenix Energy scholarship.

2023 – ARNOLDO MONTANEZ
Arnoldo was selected in 2023 for his outstanding potential and dedication to advancing resource development while balancing industry needs with environmental responsibility. He is currently a student at the Colorado School of Mines.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the purpose of the Phoenix Energy Scholarship?
To provide financial assistance to a student who has high academic credentials and who desires to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry.
What should I cover in my essay?
Please describe your interest in pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry and how you plan to contribute to this field. What challenges do you anticipate facing in this industry, and how do you plan to overcome them? Additionally, how do you envision the future of the oil and gas industry, and what role do you see yourself playing in it?
Are there any additional details I need to include with my essay?
Please list: (a) the best e-mail address to contact you at, (b) your high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, (c) and the name of the college or university that you are attending, and your college GPA on a 4.0 scale, if applicable. If you are selected for the scholarship, you may be asked to give us permission to verify with your high school and college administration the GPAs you have submitted and verify your admission to the college you have indicated.
Are students eligible to apply if their university does not declare majors until after the first semester?
Yes. When filling out the “Current Major(s)” section of your application, please specify that you are an undeclared freshman planning to major in [petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.].
Where do I submit my essay?
Please complete the form below in its entirety.
When is the application deadline?
June 30, 2026. The application window is now closed.
Can international students apply?
No. At this time, the Phoenix Energy Scholarship is only open to U.S. students.
Are part-time students eligible?
No. Only full-time students enrolled at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2025 are eligible to apply.
Can I apply if I’m currently in high school but starting college this fall?
Yes. High school students who have been accepted to and will be enrolling full-time at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026 are eligible to apply. If selected, we will verify enrollment with the institution.
What types of degree programs qualify for the scholarship?
Eligible applicants must be pursuing a degree aligned with a career in the oil and gas industry, such as petroleum engineering or similar fields.
Is financial need considered in the selection process?
While students are welcome to discuss financial need in their essay, the scholarship will not be awarded based on financial need alone. Applications will be reviewed holistically according to all eligibility criteria and the strength of the essay submission.
Can I apply if I am attending a trade school or community college?
Yes. Students enrolled full-time in an accredited trade school or community college program aligned with a career in the oil and gas industry are eligible to apply.
Can I submit more than one application or essay?
No. Only one application and essay will be accepted per student.
Will incomplete applications be considered?
No. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.
Do I need to attend a college in a specific state or region?
No. Students may attend any accredited college or university in the United States.
If I’ve previously won this scholarship, can I reapply next year?
No. Previous winners are not eligible to reapply.
Do I need letters of recommendation or transcripts?
Letters of recommendation are not required and will not be considered during the selection process. However, transcripts will be requested from the selected winner to verify GPA and enrollment prior to awarding the scholarship.
What happens after I submit my application?
After the application period closes, the Scholarship Committee will review all eligible submissions and identify approximately 5–7 top candidates for further consideration by July 15, 2026.
How are finalists selected?
By July 31, 2026, the Scholarship Committee will select three (3) finalists based on the scholarship’s evaluation criteria.
Will finalists be asked to provide additional materials?
Yes. Finalists may be asked to submit additional materials to verify information provided in their application. This may include academic transcripts, GPA verification, and proof of identification.
Are interviews part of the selection process?
Yes. Finalists will participate in a Zoom interview with the Scholarship Committee between August 13 and August 21, 2026. Interviews typically last 20–30 minutes and serve as an additional qualitative component of the evaluation process.
How will the winner be chosen?
One student will be selected based on the overall strength of their application, including eligibility, academic achievement, the quality and thoughtfulness of their essay submission, and their performance during the finalist interview.
When will the scholarship recipient be announced?
The scholarship recipient will be officially announced on September 1, 2026.
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