Are you a female leader with aspirations to progress in academia within the United States? A wonderful opportunity is provided by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) through its International Fellowship program. This scholarship has helped women become leaders in their native countries by supporting them as they pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States since 1917.
When is Application Deadline:
Deadline: November 15, every year
Table of Contents
Tell Me About the Award:
The program provides support for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career. A limited number of awards are available for study outside of the U.S. (excluding the applicant’s home country) to women who are members of Graduate Women International (see the list of GWI affiliates). Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported.
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Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the application deadline and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of the application. Recipients are selected for academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to women and girls.
Recipients return to their home countries to become leaders in business, government, academia, community activism, and the arts or scientific fields.
Which Fields are Eligible?
Type:
Fellowship
Who can Apply for the AAUW International Fellowship for Women in the USA 2025?
- International Fellowships are not open to previous recipients of any AAUW national fellowship or grant (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants).
- Members of the AAUW board of directors, committees, panels, task forces and staff, including current interns, are not eligible to apply for AAUW’s fellowships and grants. A person holding a current award is eligible for election or appointment to boards, committees, panels and task forces.
- International Fellowships are open to women, including people who identify as women, in all fields of study at an accredited institution of higher education or, for postdoctoral fellows, research. AAUW will make final decisions about what constitutes eligible institutions.
- Unsuccessful applicants 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.
How are Applicants Selected?
Criteria for Selection and Application Review
The panel meets once a year to review applications for funding. Awards are based on the criteria outlined here. Recommendations by the panel are subject to final approval by AAUW. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.
To ensure a fair review process, AAUW does not comment on the deliberations of its award panels. AAUW does not provide evaluations of applications. No provisions exist for the reconsideration of fellowship proposals. Applications and supporting documents become the sole property of AAUW and will neither be returned nor held for another year.
- 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 home country.
- Proposed time schedule.
- Quality and feasibility of proposed plan of study or research.
- Demonstrated evidence of prior community and/or civic service in home country.
- Applicant’s country’s need for specialized knowledge or skill.
- Financial need.
- Motivation for graduate study or research.
Which Countries are Eligible?
All nationalities
Where will Award be Taken?
USA
How Many Awards?
Not specified
What is the Benefit of 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 Long Will the Award Last?
The fellowship runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
How to Apply:
The application process for the AAUW International Fellowship is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Application Portal: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/
- Required Components: Complete all required components, including:
- Background Information: Personal details and academic history.
- Proposal: Detailed description of the proposed academic plan.
- Recommendations: Two recommendations from professors or professional colleagues well-acquainted with the applicant’s academic background.
- Documents: Proof of highest degree, current enrollment (if applicable), proof of English proficiency, and transcripts.
- Submission Deadline: Submit the application, recommendations, and supporting documents online by November 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
- Notification: Decisions will be emailed to all applicants by April 15, 2025.
- Fellowship Year: The fellowship runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Empower your future with the AAUW International Fellowship and join the ranks of women leaders making a global impact.
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