AAUW International Fellowships in USA for Women

 The American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships program, established in 1917, provides critical financial support for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States. This prestigious program empowers women globally to achieve academic and professional excellence, with the expectation that recipients return to their home countries to become leaders in fields such as business, academia, government, community activism, arts, or sciences. Since its inception, the program has awarded fellowships to over 3,600 women from more than 150 countries, making it one of the largest scholarship programs for women worldwide.

Program Overview

The AAUW International Fellowships support women pursuing master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral studies at accredited U.S. institutions. The program is designed for women with a demonstrated commitment to advancing gender equity and empowering women and girls in their home countries. A limited number of awards are also available for Graduate Women International (GWI) members to pursue study or research outside their home country (excluding the U.S.). The fellowship does not fund partial-year programs, distance learning, or degrees heavily reliant on online components. Programs ending before April of the fellowship year are ineligible.

Fellowship Awards

The fellowship provides significant financial support, with award amounts varying by academic level:

• Master’s/First Professional Degree: $20,000
• Doctoral Degree: $25,000
• Postdoctoral Studies: $50,000

These funds can cover educational expenses, living costs, dependent childcare, and up to 10% of the fellowship total for travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars. However, funds cannot be used for equipment purchases, indirect costs, research assistants, loan repayments, publication costs, or institutional overhead.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the AAUW International Fellowships, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be citizens of a country other than the U.S. or hold a non-immigrant visa if residing in the U.S. Women who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or dual citizens with the U.S. are ineligible.
• Academic Qualifications: Must hold an academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the application deadline.
• Study Commitment: Must intend to pursue their proposed academic plan full-time during the fellowship year (July 1–June 30).
• Return to Home Country: Must plan to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
• English Proficiency: Must demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the following:
• A valid TOEFL score (iBT: 79, Essentials: 8.5, Paper-Delivered: 60) or IELTS score (6.5).
• A written statement verifying English as the native language.
• Academic transcript or diploma confirming a degree from an English-speaking institution or one semester of full-time study in the applicant’s discipline at an English-speaking institution.
• Application to Accredited Institution: Master’s, professional, and doctoral applicants must have applied to an accredited U.S. institution by the application deadline (November 15) and indicate the institution in their application. Acceptance is not required at the time of application, but official confirmation is needed upon award acceptance.
• GWI Membership (for non-U.S. study): Applicants pursuing study or research outside the U.S. must provide proof of Graduate Women International membership.

Additional considerations include:

• Preference is given to applicants residing in their home country at the time of application, those from developing or emerging countries, or those from underrepresented groups.
• Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to advancing women and girls through civic, community, or professional work.
• The feasibility of the proposed study or research plan, the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications, and the need for specialized knowledge in their home country are also evaluated.

Application Process

Applications for the 2025-2026 fellowship year open on September 3, 2024, and close on November 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The application is submitted through the International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) portal, accessible via the AAUW website. Applicants must:

1. Review eligibility criteria to confirm qualification.
2. Create an ISTS account and complete the application, using the program key "AAUW-IF" if prompted.
3. Provide two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, or colleagues familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional background.
4. Submit supporting documents, including proof of English proficiency, academic transcripts, and, for non-U.S. study, GWI membership documentation.
5. Ensure all materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications may be reviewed at AAUW’s discretion.

Applicants are notified of their award status by April 15, 2025. Up to five master’s/first professional degree fellowships are renewable for a second year, with renewal information provided during the fellowship year.

Additional Notes

• Ineligibility: Previous recipients of AAUW national fellowships or grants (excluding branch or local awards or Community Action Grants) are not eligible. Members of the AAUW board, committees, panels, task forces, or staff, including current interns, cannot apply.
• Renewal Requirements: Fellows must submit an AAUW funding renewal form, an official transcript, and an institutional certification form by May 30, 2026, to maintain funding.
• Tax Responsibility: The determination of any tax obligations associated with the fellowship is the recipient’s responsibility. AAUW does not provide tax-related forms or advice.
• International Project Grants: AAUW also offers grants to International Fellowship alumnae who return to their home countries to implement community-based projects that advance gender equity. These grants support initiatives like securing property rights for widows or improving workspaces for women, but they do not fund academic theses or dissertations.

Impact and Legacy

The AAUW International Fellowships have a profound impact, fostering leadership and gender equity worldwide. Alumnae have become trailblazers in their communities, addressing critical issues such as women’s property rights and workplace safety. The program’s emphasis on returning to one’s home country ensures that fellows apply their expertise to drive systemic change. For example, fellows have implemented projects that empower vulnerable populations, demonstrating the program’s ripple effect in advancing global gender equity.