AAUW International Fellowship- Master’s Degree Grant

AAUW International Fellowship- Master’s Degree Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Amount: US $18,000 - US $30,000
Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Summary

The AAUW International Fellowships support women pursuing graduate or postdoctoral studies in the U.S. who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Since 1917, these fellowships have provided financial assistance, with awards of $20,000 for Master’s, $25,000 for Doctoral, and $50,000 for Postdoctoral studies. Eligible applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to women's advancement. The program emphasizes full-time study and requires proficiency in English, ensuring a diverse and dedicated cohort of scholars.

Overview

International Fellowships 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

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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 1, 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; orApplicants 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 StatusFellowship 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).Master’s Degree ApplicationsApplicants 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 toapplying their expertise, professional skills and leadership in the context of their home countries, andsupporting 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.

Ineligibility

The following are not eligible for consideration:Current members of the AAUW Board of DirectorsCurrent employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns, and contract employeesCurrent AAUW Review PanelistsImmediate 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)