AAUW International Fellowship For Women 2025, USA: Apply Now!

About the AAUW International Fellowship for Women

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers a fantastic opportunity through its International Fellowship program. Since 1917, this fellowship has been instrumental in supporting women from around the world in pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States, empowering them to become leaders in their respective countries.

The program is open to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are committed to returning to their home countries to pursue professional careers after completing their studies in the United States. Additionally, a limited number of awards are available for study outside of the U.S. (excluding the applicant’s home country) for members of Graduate Women International.

Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are eligible for support. Applicants should have obtained the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the application deadline and must have applied to their proposed study institutions by the time of the application. Successful recipients are selected based on their academic achievements and demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women and girls.

Upon completion of their studies, recipients are expected to return to their home countries, where they play crucial roles as leaders in various fields such as business, government, academia, community activism, and the arts or scientific fields.

Eligibility Criteria

Previous winners of any AAUW national fellowship or grant are not eligible for international fellowships (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants).
Applications for AAUW fellowships and grants are not open to members of the organization’s board of directors, committees, panels, task forces, employees, or current interns. A current recipient of an award is qualified for election or appointment to task forces, committees, panels, and boards.
Women, including those who identify as women, are eligible to apply for international fellowships in any field of study at a recognized university or, for postdoctoral fellows, in research. The AAUW will decide, in the end, which institutions are eligible.

Applicants who are unsuccessful may reapply.
To be eligible for an International Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have citizenship in a country other than the U.S. or possession of a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the U.S. Women who are currently, or expect to be during the fellowship year, U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent residents, or dual citizens with the U.S. and another country are not eligible.
- Hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by the application deadline.
- Intend to devote themselves full-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year.
- They intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
- Be proficient in English and confirm proficiency by submitting one of the Required Components (see below), which include certain English proficiency exams, transcripts from English-speaking institutions, or a written statement verifying English is the applicant’s native language. Applicants planning to take one of the accepted English proficiency exams should plan for and take the test as early as possible. Please direct questions about the tests to the test provider.
- Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must have applied by the AAUW application deadline, to an accredited institution of study for the period of the fellowship year and must indicate the name of the institution in the International Fellowship application. While acceptance is not required at the time of application, fellows must provide official confirmation from the institution with their award acceptance materials.
Master’s/first professional degree fellowships are intended for master’s or professional degree-level programs such as J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., or medical degrees such as M.D., D.D.S., etc. Certificates, associate degrees, and undergraduate degrees are ineligible.

Doctoral fellowships are intended for doctorate degrees classified as research degrees, such as Ph.D. or Ed.D.
Postdoctoral applicants must provide proof of their doctorate degree; hold a doctorate classified as a research degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or an M.F.A. by the application deadline; and indicate where they will conduct their research.
Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must be enrolled in a U.S.-accredited institution located in the U.S. during the fellowship year.

A limited number of awards are available to Graduate Women International members for study or research in any country other than their own. Note that foreign branches of U.S. institutions are considered outside of the U.S.
Applicants can apply for the fellowship for any year of their program but must be conducting a full year of study or research. International Fellowships do not provide funding for a partial year of study or research. Programs ending prior to April of the fellowship year are not eligible.
Distance learning/online programs: Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral fellowships support traditional classroom-based courses of study at colleges or universities. This fellowship program does not provide funding for distance-learning or online programs or for degrees heavily dependent on distance-learning components. Final decisions about what constitutes distance learning under these fellowships will be made by AAUW. AAUW will accept applications from applicants who are temporarily studying remotely due to COVID-19 precautions at their institution.

Selection Criteria

The selection and application review process for the AAUW fellowships involves a panel that convenes annually to assess funding applications. Awards are granted based on the specific criteria laid out by the organization. However, it’s important to note that the panel’s recommendations are subject to final approval by the AAUW. Fellowships are distributed on a competitive basis, depending on the availability of funds in a given fiscal year.

To maintain a fair review process, AAUW refrains from providing any comments on the deliberations of its award panels. Additionally, the organization does not offer evaluations of applications. Once fellowship proposals are submitted, there are no provisions for reconsideration. Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that all applications and accompanying materials become the exclusive property of AAUW and will not be returned or kept for consideration in subsequent years. You should also take note of the following:

Applicants residing in their home country at the time of application, from developing/emerging countries, or from an underrepresented group in any region, will receive special consideration.

Position on return to home country.
Academic and/or professional qualifications.
Demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women and girls in the home country.

Proposed schedule.
Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan of study or research.
Demonstrated evidence of prior community and/or civic service in the home country.

The applicant’s country’s need for specialized knowledge or skill.
Financial need.
Motivation for graduate study or research.

Benefits of the AAUW International Fellowship for Women in the USA 2025

Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
Doctoral: $25,000
Postdoctoral: $50,000

International Fellowship funds are available for:

Educational expenses.

Living expenses. Dependent child care.
Travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars that do not exceed 10% of the fellowship total.

International Fellowship funds are not available for:

Purchase of equipment.
Indirect costs.
Research assistants.

Previous expenditures, deficits, or repayment of loans.
Publication costs.
Institutional (overhead) costs.

Tuition for dependent’s education.
Grants-in-aid for less than a full academic year or travel grants.
Travel to or from a fellow’s home country.

Travel to or from the fellow’s research location, if abroad (this does not apply to fellows who are GWI members with AAUW approval to study or research in a country other than their own).

How to Apply

When applying for the AAUW International Fellowship, it is important to pay attention to the details of the application process. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to help you through the process. To start your application, visit the application portal provided.

Required Components:

Make sure to complete all the required components, which include the following:

Background Information: Provide personal details and information about your academic history.
Proposal: Include a detailed description of your proposed academic plan.

Recommendations: Obtain two recommendations from professors or professional colleagues who are well-acquainted with your academic background.
Documents: Gather proof of your highest degree, current enrollment (if applicable), proof of English proficiency, and transcripts.

Submission Deadline:

Ensure that you submit your application, recommendations, and supporting documents online by November 15, 2024.

Notification:

Decisions regarding the fellowship will be communicated via email to all applicants by April 15, 2025.

Fellowship Year:

Keep in mind that the fellowship will be for the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Ready to apply? Click the link below to apply.

APPLY HERE