AAUW Fellowships - Grants for Women in Education

Overview

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a leading US organization advocating for equity and education for women and girls. AAUW administers several fellowship and grant programs supporting women's academic and professional advancement. Key programs include: American Fellowships (for US women in doctoral and postdoctoral study), International Fellowships (for women from outside the US for graduate or postdoctoral study in the US), Career Development Grants (for women re-entering the workforce), Selected Professions Fellowships (for women in male-dominated STEM and other fields), and Community Action Grants. AAUW awards approximately $6 million annually to around 250 scholars and grantees.

What You Can Find Here

American Fellowships - for US women in full-time doctoral research or dissertation completion ($20,000-$30,000)
International Fellowships - for non-US women for full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the US
Career Development Grants - for women with bachelor's degrees seeking advanced professional development ($2,000-$12,000)
Selected Professions Fellowships - for women in male-dominated fields (engineering, computer science, law, business)
Community Action Grants - for individuals or AAUW branches for gender equity projects
AAUW Research Publication Grants in engineering, medicine, and science

Who Should Use This

US women (US citizens or permanent residents) pursuing doctoral degrees or dissertation completion
International women accepted to full-time graduate or postdoctoral programs at US institutions
Women with bachelor's degrees seeking career development in gender-balanced or male-dominated fields
Women in STEM, law, or business fields seeking Selected Professions Fellowship support
Community organizations working on gender equity in education

How to Get Started

Step 1: Visit aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants to explore all available programs
Step 2: Identify which fellowship type matches your nationality, academic level, and field
Step 3: Applications open in August-September for most programs with November-December deadlines
Step 4: Apply through the AAUW online application portal with required essays, transcripts, and recommendations
Step 5: Awards are announced in April and fellowships typically begin in July for the following academic year

Things to Check Before Applying

AAUW programs have different nationality requirements - some are only for US women, others specifically for international women
AAUW fellowships are for women only (as defined by each program's eligibility criteria)
Deadlines are firm - applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered
American Fellowships require US citizenship or permanent residency; International Fellowships explicitly exclude US citizens

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AAUW International Fellowship?

AAUW International Fellowships support women who are NOT US citizens or permanent residents, who have been accepted to a full-time graduate or postdoctoral program at an accredited US institution.

Can transgender and non-binary individuals apply for AAUW awards?

AAUW's nondiscrimination policy defines eligibility broadly. AAUW welcomes applications from women, including transgender women. Policies are subject to updates - check aauw.org for current guidelines.

How competitive are AAUW fellowships?

AAUW fellowships are highly competitive. The organization receives thousands of applications and selects around 250 fellows and grantees annually. Strong academic credentials and compelling essays are essential.

Are AAUW Career Development Grants for women in college?

No. Career Development Grants are for women who already have a bachelor's degree and are seeking additional education or training for career advancement, especially those re-entering the workforce.