AAmerican Association of University Women (AAUW)
Partially funded
AAUW International Fellowship
American Association of University Women (AAUW), United States
Scholarship overview
The AAUW International Fellowship supports women from outside the United States who pursue full-time graduate study in a STEM field at an accredited US institution. The programme has run since 1917.
Fellows are expected to apply their expertise to benefit their home countries or communities. A limited number of awards can be held for study in a country other than the applicant's own, under conditions set by AAUW.
The fellowship is a one-time award and cannot be renewed.
Award Information
- Identify as a woman.
- Be a non-US citizen who is not a US permanent resident and not an applicant for a green card.
- Be admitted to or enrolled in a first master's degree or first academic or professional doctorate in a STEM field.
- Begin the programme on or before September 15, 2027 and complete it on or after April 30, 2028 (2027-28 cycle).
- Hold a degree equivalent to a US bachelor's degree.
- Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned.
- Study full-time at an accredited institution (US Department of Education accreditation).
- Reside in the US or the country of study for the full fellowship period.
- Not be a current AAUW board member, employee or review panelist, or an immediate family member of one, and not a previous AAUW fellowship or grant recipient (Community Action Grants and branch or local awards excepted).
- Study outside the US and the home country is allowed only in limited cases, including Graduate Women International (GWI) membership for applicants whose countries are not under a US travel ban.
- Master's degree: US$20,000.
- Doctoral degree: US$25,000.
- Paid in two equal instalments, at the start and midpoint of the fellowship term, to the fellow only.
- Funds may cover tuition, fees, required course materials and living expenses such as housing, food and childcare.
- Not permitted: research assistants, publication costs, overhead and tuition for dependents.
- Tax: for foreign persons studying in the US, AAUW withholds 14% for F, J, M or Q visa holders (or the treaty rate) and 30% for other statuses or if no tax ID is provided.
- Applications opened August 17, 2026 (9:00am ET) and closed September 17, 2026 (5:00pm ET) for the 2027-28 academic year.
- Award notification: March 2027.
- First stipend: July to September 2027.
- Mid-year report: December 2027.
- Second stipend: December 2027 or January 2028.
- Final report: July 31, 2028.
- Create an account or log in to the AAUW Fellowships & Grants Application Portal.
- Follow the Application Instructions PDF.
- Complete the narrative application and upload the required documents.
- Register recommenders early through the portal.
- Confirm all materials are accurate and complete before submitting; incomplete applications are not considered.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Narrative application in the applicant's own voice.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts using professional email addresses (no dossier services or form letters).
- Proof of degree: diploma or official transcript showing conferral and date, with certified translations where needed; a credential evaluation may be required to confirm bachelor's equivalency.
- Official transcripts for all degree-granting programmes.
- Proof of CGPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, with conversion documentation for other grading systems.
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, revised TOEFL paper-delivered 60, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge 176 or Duolingo English Test 120 (scores valid two years, Cambridge for life), or a statement that English is the native language, or proof of English-medium instruction.
- Proof of admission (letter with start date) or enrollment verification.
- GWI membership proof where required.
How selection works
AAUW staff first check completeness and eligibility. Independent panels of STEM scholars then review eligible applications once a year, and final decisions are subject to AAUW approval and available funds.
- Academic and/or scholarly excellence.
- Feasibility of the academic or research plan.
- Commitment to women and girls.
- Long-term career objectives and impact.
- Strength and feasibility of the financial plan.
- Doctoral applicants are also assessed on originality and potential contribution of the proposed work.
Where applicants are comparable on merit, preference goes to applicants from underrepresented countries, first-time international students, home-country residents, first-generation graduates, applicants from single-parent households or with caregiving responsibilities, and those at R2 or resource-limited institutions.
