AAUW International Fellowships for Women Pursuing Graduate Studies in the U.S. in STEM

AAUW International Fellowships for Women Pursuing Graduate Studies in the U.S. in STEM

AAUW’s International Fellowships promotes education and equity for women by investing in international applicants who will be pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, with the intention of applying their expertise, professional skills, and leadership in service of their home countries and/or the communities in which they reside. In addition, a limited number of awards are available for study in any country other than their own. International Fellowships are specifically designed for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a track record of academic excellence and empowering other women and girls. The Program has been supporting international women pursuing full-time postgraduate studies in the United States since 1917.

Eligibility

• Applicants must identify as a woman.
• Applicants must be admitted or enrolled in their first master’s or an academic or professional doctorate degree at the time of application, and the degree must be in one of the STEM disciplines.
• Applicants must begin their program on or before September 15, 2027, and complete it on or after April 30, 2028.
• Applicants must possess at least one academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• While applicants may hold multiple degrees, they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned. Applicants may apply for only one degree type (either a Master’s or Doctoral program) and in a single specific field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, etc.). In the case of applicants pursuing a dual degree, they must select one of the fields in their application.
• Applicants must pursue their study in the U.S. on a full-time basis at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Applicants must reside in the U.S. or country of their study for the duration of the fellowship period.
• Applicants intending to study in a country other than their country of citizenship or the U.S. will be considered under the following circumstances:
  • Applicants whose country of citizenship is subject to a U.S. travel ban and who are therefore unable to secure a U.S. student visa; or
  • Applicants whose country of citizenship is not subject to a U.S. travel ban and who plan to study outside the United States, provided they are members of Graduate Women International.

Note: Foreign branches of U.S. institutions are considered outside of the United States.

Citizenship & Immigration Status

Fellowship recipients must be non-U.S. citizens and must not hold U.S. permanent resident status, nor be applicants for U.S. permanent residency (green card).

Disqualifying Factors

The following are not eligible for consideration:

• Current members of the AAUW Board of Directors
• Current employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns, and contract employees
• Current AAUW Review Panelists
• Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points above
•  Previous AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards)

Award Details

International Fellowships carry a stipend of $20,000 for a master’s degree and $25,000 for a doctorate degree. Stipends are payable to fellows only and are disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the fellowship term.

Selection Criteria

Master’s Degree Applications

• Applicants must hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Academic excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from peers, professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction.
• Demonstrated commitment to 1) applying their expertise, professional skills and leadership in the context of their home countries, and 2) supporting other women and girls through service in their communities and professions.
• Clear and actionable study plans, the funding of those plans, and the proposed timeline for their completion.
•  The fellow’s long-term career objectives in STEM, including plans to return to their home country where applicable, long-term professional aspirations, and continued commitment to community service and the advancement of women and girls.
• Applicants pursuing their studies at R2 institutions or at institutions with limited research resources are encouraged to apply, and institutional context will be considered as part of the holistic review process.
• Applicants must demonstrate confirmed or pending financial support and a remaining funding gap.
• Applicants hailing from countries that have a notably low presence among AAUW award recipients (preferred).
• Applicants pursuing their first international academic experience (preferred).
• Applicants residing in their home country at the time of application (preferred).
• Applicants who lead or hail from single parent households (preferred).
• Applicants who are parenting students (preferred).

Doctoral Degree Applications

• Applicants must have earned their highest academic degree, either in the U.S. or abroad, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The degree should be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Academic and/or scholarly excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, the strength of applicants’ research proposal, recognition from peers, professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction.
• Research/clinical or applied practice that demonstrates originality in its design and has the potential to make significant contributions to the relevant academic or professional field.
• Demonstrated commitment to 1) applying their expertise, professional skills and leadership in the context of their home countries, and 2) supporting other women and girls through service in their communities, professions or fields of research.
• Feasibility of the study/research/clinical plans, the funding of those plans and the proposed timeline for their completion.
• The fellow’s long-term career objectives in STEM, including plans to return to their home country where applicable, long-term professional aspirations, and continued commitment to community service and the advancement of women and girls.
• Applicants pursuing their studies at R2 institutions or at institutions with limited research resources are encouraged to apply, and institutional context will be considered as part of the holistic review process.

• Applicants must demonstrate confirmed or pending financial support and a remaining funding gap.
• Applicants hailing from countries that have a notably low presence among AAUW award recipients (preferred).

• Applicants pursuing their first international academic experience (preferred).
• Applicants residing in their home country at the time of application (preferred).
• Applicants who lead or hail from single parent households (preferred).
• Applicants who are parenting students (preferred).

Visit the official website to apply