AAUW Scholarships for Women (How to Apply)

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide, nonprofit organization that has been advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research since 1881. The organization provides scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as grants to fund research and programs. The organization has different scholarship opportunities.

AAUW has fought to enhance equality for women and girls for over a century via its work in education equity and advocacy, public policy, and research. Today, the group is carrying on this work via a variety of initiatives that advocate policies that help women realize their full potential, improve families, and help people better understand how gender overlaps with other identity characteristics.

Scholarship Application Timeframe

The application timeframe is the same for all of AAUW scholarship opportunities.

• ‘The application was launched on August 1st, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. on.
• The deadline for the online application submission, recommendations, and supporting materials is on November 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.
• A notification email will be sent to all applicants by April 15, 2023.
• The fellowship will commence between July 1, 2023, till June 30, 2024.
• When a date falls on a weekend or holiday, it is observed on the next business day.

AAUW Available Scholarships for Women

1. American Fellowships

The American fellowship program is AAUW’s biggest and oldest graduate scholarship funding for women. This program started in the year 1881 when women were deterred from furthering their education. 

The American fellowship supports women who intend to pursue full-time study, complete their dissertations, postdoctoral research, and publication.  This fellowship has three different scholarship categories, namely: dissertation fellowship, postdoctoral fellowship, and publication grant.

Eligibility

• Previous beneficiaries of any AAUW national fellowship or grant are not eligible for American Fellowships. This does not include branch or local awards or community action grants.
• AAUW Board of Directors, committees, panels, task forces, and staff, including current interns, are ineligible to apply for this  fellowship and grant.
• Candidates for the American Fellowship must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents.
• Women and people who identify as women studying in any field at an accredited institution of higher learning are eligible to apply. 

 

Terms and conditions

• The fellowship does not offer funding for distance learning or online programs or degrees. Instead, it supports face-face learning at colleges or universities. Although considerations can be offered for those studying remotely due to COVID-19 safety measures at their institution.
• Applicants cannot apply for another AAUW national fellowship or grant at the same time.
• Applicants applying for the American Dissertation Fellowship must be in their final year of writing their dissertation. 
• It is not necessary for Dissertation Fellows to study in the United States.
• The Dissertation Fellowship is for applicants who are nearing the end of their first doctoral degree.
• Applicants may apply for a fellowship for the same dissertation work up to two times.
• At the time of application, applicants for the American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship must have a Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., M.F.A., J.D., M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., D.S.W., or M.P.H.
• Professors with tenure are not eligible.
• For publication grants, the grantee must be the sole-author, senior author, first author, or an author of comparable importance.
• Postdoctoral researchers and Short-Term Research publications grantees are not permitted to pursue a degree during the grant period.
• As part of their acceptance of the award, all American Fellowship beneficiaries are required to sign a contract.
• Fellows with prior written approval from AAUW may work up to 20 hours per week or teach one course per semester or term.

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Award 

The award given varies depending on the category a candidate applies for. It ranges from $8,000 to $50,000.

• Dissertation Fellowship: $25,000
• Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship: $50,000
• Short-Term Research Publication Grant: $8,000

Application requirement

• The applicant must provide three recommendation letters from advisers, colleagues, or others who are familiar with the applicant, their project, and their teaching. The applicant’s dissertation advisor must provide one of the three recommendations.
• Transcripts indicating the applicants’ full names, the name of the school, all courses and grades, and any additional information specified in the application instructions
• Project institution form must be submitted for dissertation applicants that conducted their project at an institution different from their home institution.
•  For all materials offered in a foreign language with a certified English translation.

2. Career Development Grants

 A Career Development Grant is a scholarship targeted at women with a bachelor’s degree who want to change careers or re-enter the workforce. Women of color and women obtaining their first graduate degree or certification in unusual professions are given special consideration.

These grants are available to help with coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree. It includes master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program, or advanced training in technical or professional disciplines. The amount awarded ranges from $2,000 to $20,000.

Eligibility

Women, including those who identify as women, are eligible for Career Development Grants if they:

• are citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

• have a legitimate (not honorary) bachelor’s degree.
• Intend to enroll in, or are currently enrolled in, courses/activities required for a professional employment or advancement.
• intend to enroll in or are currently enrolled in one of the programs listed below:
  • A bachelor’s or associate degree program that is not related to the previous bachelor’s degree.
  • Master’s program.
  • Program of certification.
  • Technical college.

• Intend to enroll in or are currently enrolled in one of the following disciplines of study:
  • Education
  • Medical and health sciences
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
  • Social sciences

Terms and conditions

• All courses of study must take place at a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must reside in the United States for the duration of the award.
• Applicants must identify their matriculation status on the application. 

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3. International Fellowships

The International Fellowships is a scholarship program that offers funding to women that want to pursue a full-time masters and postdoctoral study in the United States. These women must not be U.S. citizens  or permanent residents and must plan to return to their native country to pursue a professional career. This fellowship has been supporting women since 1917.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must have the citizenship of another country other than the United States or have a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the United States. 
• Women who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or dual citizens of the United States and another country are not eligible.
• Applicants must have an academic degree earned in the United States or abroad. It must be the equivalent of a United States bachelor’s degree.
• After finishing their studies, they intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career.
• Applicants must be studying a full-time course. 
• M.D., D.D.S., and other medical degrees, certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees are not acceptable.
• Applicants must be fluent in English and prove it by submitting the documents listed below.
  • transcripts from English-speaking institutions; written statements confirming English is the applicant’s native language; and English proficiency exam results. 

Terms and conditions

• Stipends are paid to the scholarship winners rather than to institutions.
• As part of accepting the award, all International Fellowship beneficiaries must sign a contract.
• During the fellowship year, they intend to devote themselves entirely to the proposed academic plan.
• Master’s degree and doctoral degree holders are also eligible.  These applicants must have applied to an accredited institution of study for the fellowship year and must include the name of the institution in the International Fellowship application. 
• Fellowships for master’s or professional degree programs such as J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., or medical degrees such as M.D., D.D.S., etc. are intended for master’s degree fellowships. Certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees are not eligible for the master’s fellowship.
• Doctoral fellowships are designed for doctorates with degrees and research degrees, such as the Ph.D. or Ed.D.
• Postdoctoral applicants must submit proof of their doctorate degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or an M.F.A. and indicate where they will conduct their research.
• Applicants for master’s/first professional degree and doctoral degrees must be studying  in a United States accredited institution during the fellowship year.
• Graduate Women International members are eligible for a limited number of awards for study or research.
• Applicants who are unsuccessful may reapply.
• During the fellowship year, postdoctoral applicants are not permitted to pursue a degree.

4. Community Action Grants

The AAUW Community Action Grants program is designed to help local community service organizations increase the quality and scope of their services to women and girls. The grants are intended to support projects that improve the lives of women and girls in different areas. Those areas include economic security, health, education, violence prevention, leadership development, and civic engagement.  AAUW has helped hundreds of communities across the United States since 1972. The monetary value of this scholarship ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 every year. 

These grants are awarded annually by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) on a competitive basis. Funding for these grants is provided by individual donors who support this program through their contributions to AAUW’s endowment fund. The application was launched august 1st, 2022 and the deadline for submission is December 1st, 2022.

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Eligibility

• Individuals, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations, or local community-based nonprofit groups may apply including universities.
• The suggested plan must support women’s and girls’ education and equity.
• Universities and non-profit organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.
• Organizations including colleges must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). AAUW branch and state applicants must be tax-exempt under Sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4).
• Proposals from AAUW branches or states must be authorized and signed by the president of the branch or state.
• Proposals from local community-based nonprofit groups must be reviewed and signed by the executive director of the organization.
• Previous recipients of Community Action Grants must wait three application cycles before applying for another grant, and they may not apply for duplicate funds.

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Selection criteria

• The suggested project’s relevancy to AAUW’s goal and its immediate, beneficial impact on education and equity for women and girls.
• The project’s logic is strong since it addresses a demonstrated, documented community need.
• Clarity and innovation in project design is important. The project must have clear and precise objectives and it should be  original and/or inventive in how those outcomes are achieved.
• The project should meet the following feasibility standards
•   Ensure that proposal would naturally lead to expected results of goals and the project is feasible.
• Ensure project’s sustainability and impact.  The project should reach underprivileged audiences, connect with diverse individuals and organizations,  have the potential for AAUW branch or state involvement or visibility. 
• The project also has the potential for long-term impact and the potential for long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.

Terms and conditions

The following are not eligible for funding: 

• Salaries or stipends for project directors or permanent roles are available.
• Tuition
• Scholarships for higher education for students and participants
• Funding for construction or renovations of a building.

Funds are available for project-related expenses such as, but not limited to:

• Shipping, mailing, and postage
• Duplicating and photocopying
• Supplies for the office.
• audiovisual media.
• Telephone expenses for the project.
• Honoraria is remuneration for speakers or special consultants.
• Purchases of equipment.
• Meals, food, beverages, or housing for camps or activities associated with camping.
• Temporary hourly clerical assistance.
• Facility leasing does not include permanent office space.
• Publicity, advertising, and graphic design
• Transportation no more than one-third of grant proposal; car expenditures of $0.545 per mile.
• Travel expenditures for activities that are not part of the project’s scope.
• Any overhead or general operational expenditures?

How to Apply for AAUW scholarship

Each scholarship has the same application process process. Start by clicking the Apply Now button to access the application and create an account on our AAUW site. Afterwards, proceed to submit supporting documents specifically pertaining to each scholarship. To find out more go through AAUW official website. Please note that submission of your application does not guarantee that you will receive a scholarship.

Conclusion

AAUW scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential and financial need. Go through the article to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria and other factors.