Career Development Grants

The Career Development Grants, offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), support women with bachelor's degrees seeking to advance or change careers, particularly in high-growth STEM fields. These grants fund post-bachelor's coursework, including master's degrees or certifications, at accredited institutions. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to their educational pursuits and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as being enrolled in accredited programs that promote women's participation in underrepresented fields.

BackgroundCareer Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences.AAUW originally designed Career Development Grants in 1972 to offer “encouragement” funding to AAUW members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement.Today, grants support course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Course work must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for doctorate-level work.Distance or online learning programs will be funded only if they are conducted through an accredited institution appearing on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of approved online/distance learning programs. Final decisions about what constitutes distance learning under these grants will be made by AAUW.
Applicants are required to indicate their matriculation status within the application. While applicants are not required to already be enrolled or accepted into their preferred institution of study in order to apply, preference is given to those who are able to demonstrate strong commitment or intent in following the proposed plan of study. Awardees must be able to show proof of admission when submitting their acceptance materials.

Eligibility

Applicants must identify as a woman.Applicants must be:Accepted or enrolled in a certificate, credential or training program in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce; ORCurrently employed in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce, if pursuing executive leadership or management trainingCertificate, credential, or training programs must include a minimum of 400 instructional hours.Programs must be offered by accredited or licensed institutions and lead to professional advancement or employment in the applicant’s chosen field.Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.Applicants whose accredited certificate, credential or training programs directly prepare them for industry-recognized certification may receive priority consideration, depending on the strength of their application and alignment with program goals.Applicants must demonstrate a clear and purposeful trajectory toward or within a career in a high-growth STEM field where women are underrepresented. This may be reflected through professional experience, pursuit of skill-building opportunities, career-related goals, mentorship or leadership activities, or overcoming significant barriers in their educational or career journey. Traditional academic achievements are welcome but are not required.Applicant demonstrates a commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their certificate, credential, or training program based on sufficient time, financial resources, and other support.

Ineligibility

Members of the AAUW Board of DirectorsEmployees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns and contract employeesAAUW Review PanelistsImmediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points aboveApplicants for another national AAUW fellowship or grant, in the same yearPrevious national AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards)Applicants who are recommended for an award, however, whose certificate, credential or training program is different than envisioned at the time of application, will be disqualified.