AAUW International Fellowship 2025-25: Let's Change The World!

American Association of University Women or AAUW International Fellowship is one of the largest PhD scholarships for women in the world. The AAUW International Fellowship has been educating, empowering, and advocating for women for 145 years since 1881, with the fellowship programs starting in 1888. The AAUW Fellowship has awarded more than $135 Million to 13,000 scholars in 50+ US states, including Washington, Puerto Rico, and D.C. The fellows of the program include nationalities from more than 150 countries. International scholarships for women help reduce the education gap as well as encourage career progression in women.

Overview of AAUW Fellowships

Scholarships like the AAUW scholarships help deserving students facing financial crises overcome obstacles and have a brighter future. The AAUW International Fellowship has many divisions, such as the Career Development Grants, American Fellowships, Community Action Grants, International Project Grants, and Selected Professions Fellowships. The AAUW fellowship grants may range from $3,000 to $50,000. Below is a table to help you out:

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Program	Grant Amount	Application Period	Description
American Fellowships	$8,000-$50,000	August 1 - November 30	Established in 1888, supports women scholars completing dissertations, postdoctoral research, or preparing research for publication. Subcategories include $25,000 for Dissertation Fellowships, $50,000 for Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships, and $8,000 for Short-Term Research Publication Grants.
Career Development Grants	$2,000-$20,000	August 1 - November 15	Started in 1972, supports AAUW members resuming academic work beyond a bachelor's degree, including master’s degrees, certifications, professional training, and second bachelor's degrees.
Community Action Grants	$3,000-$10,000	August 1 - November 15	Since 1972, supported individuals, AAUW branches, state organisations, and community-based nonprofits for innovative projects promoting education and equity for women and girls.
International Project Grants	$10,000-$35,000	August 1 - November 15	Funds work by AAUW fellows in their home countries, advancing gender equality and empowerment, particularly in developing regions.
Research Publication Grant in Engineering, Medicine & Science	$10,000-$35,000	August 1 - November 15	Supports women with doctorates in engineering, medicine, or the physical/biological sciences to publish their research findings as primary authors in scholarly journals.
Selected Professions Fellowships	$20,000	August 1 - November 30	Established in 1970 and initially funded by the Max C. Fleischmann Foundation, it supports women in law, medicine, science, and technology.

The AAUW International fellowships were founded as a small group to benefit women from across the globe. The aim was to help them continue with higher education in America and return help their home country after they return to their home country. It ensured the participation of scholars in the betterment of their community and worked towards a larger goal. With time, the AAUW scholarships expanded to various other programs such as project grants, community project grants, and more. In order to check whether the AAUW international fellowships are made for you, you will also navigate through the eligibility criteria, application deadline, and preparation tips and end with the most famous AAUW Fellowship Awardees. With all these insights, let us move forward to understand the AAUW International Fellowship in all its glory.

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Award Amount In AAUW International Fellowship

The amount awarded to the recipients of the American Association of University Women scholarship ranges from $20,000 to $50,000. Below is the breakdown of the AAUW international fellowship awards based on the stage in the academia:

1. The award for a master's or first professional degree is $20,000
2. The award for a doctoral degree or the AAUW Dissertation Fellowship is $25,000
3. The AAUW international fellowship award amount for postdoctoral studies is $50,000

Timeline of Application for AAUW International Fellowships

As one of the most sought-after international graduate fellowships, the AAUW scholarships are always in high demand. However, to ensure you don’t miss the chance, you need to be aware of the timeline followed for the AAUW scholarship 2024. Let us check out the dates from the application for AAUW international fellowships in the USA for women:

1. August 1, 2023
The application process begins.

November 15, 2023, before midnight.
Deadline for submitting the online application, recommendations, and all supporting documents.

2. April 15, 2024
Decision notifications are emailed to all applicants. AAUW fellowships cannot provide earlier notifications.

3. July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Fellowship year duration.

Note: If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it will be observed on the next business day.

Eligibility Criteria for AAUW Fellowships

Below are the eligibility criteria for AAUW Fellowships, outlining the essential requirements candidates must meet to apply for these opportunities:

Eligibility Criteria

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Criteria	Details	Eligible (Yes/No)
Previous Recipients	Not open to previous recipients of any AAUW international fellowship or grant (excluding branch/local awards or Community Action Grants).	No
AAUW Affiliations	Members of AAUW's board, committees, panels, task forces, staff, and interns are not eligible. Current award holders can join boards and committees.	No
Eligibility	Open to women, including those who identify as women, in all fields of study at accredited institutions or for postdoctoral research.	Yes
Citizenship Requirements	Must be a non-U.S. citizen or hold a non-immigrant visa if a resident in the U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, or dual citizens (including the U.S.) are ineligible.	No
Academic Degree	Must hold an academic degree which is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.	Yes
Full-Time Commitment	Must intend to devote themselves full-time to their academic plan during the fellowship year.	Yes
Return to Home Country	Must show intentions to return to their home country to pursue a career upon completion of studies.	Yes
English Proficiency	Must be proficient in English and confirm proficiency through exams, transcripts from English-speaking institutions, or a written statement of native proficiency.	Yes
Application to Accredited Institution	Master's/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must apply to accredited institutions by the AAUW deadline.	Yes
Degree Programs	Master's/professional degrees include J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., M.D., D.D.S., etc. Certificates, associate, and undergraduate degrees are ineligible.	Yes
Doctoral Fellowships	Intended for doctorate degrees, such as Ph.D., Ed.D.	Yes
Postdoctoral Requirements	Must hold a doctorate classified as a research degree, such as PhD, Ed.D., and D.B.A, among others) or an M.F.A. by the application deadline and indicate research location.	Yes
Institution Location	Enrolled in a U.S. accredited college or university in the U.S. during the fellowship year.	Yes
Graduate Women International Members	Limited awards are available for study or research outside of the applicant's home country. Foreign branches of U.S. institutions will not be considered.	Yes
Program Year	Applicants can apply for any year of their program but must conduct a full year of study or research. No funding for partial years or programs ending before April.	Yes
Distance Learning	Does not fund distance-learning or online programs; it supports traditional classroom-based courses. Temporary remote study due to COVID-19 is accepted.	No

Fellowships

The AAUW International Fellowships application review process is competitive, with a panel evaluating based on specific criteria and giving special consideration to certain applicants. Let us know about things we need to keep in mind:

1. Review Process

The AAUW Fellowships have an intricate process for the applications. Below are some of the important review processes:

1. Annual Review: The panel meets once a year to review applications for funding
2. Competitive Awards: Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis, depending on available funds
3. Panel Recommendations: Recommendations by the panel require final approval by AAUW.
4. Fair Review: AAUW does not comment on panel deliberations, provide evaluations of applications, or reconsider fellowship proposals
5. Document Ownership: Applications and supporting documents become the property of AAUW. The documents will be held for another year

2. Special Considerations

Though it is an international fellowship for women, there are various criteria you need to consider. Below are some of them:

1. Applicants Residing in Home Country: Special consideration is given to applicants who are residing in their home country at the time of application
2. Developing/Emerging Countries: Applicants from developing or emerging countries receive special consideration
3. Underrepresented Groups: Special consideration is given to applicants from underrepresented groups in any region

3. Evaluation Criteria

1. Return to Home Country: Commitment to return to their home country post-fellowship
2. Qualifications: Academic and professional qualifications
3. Commitment to Women and Girls: Demonstrated commitment to advancing women and girls in their home country
4. Time Schedule: Proposed schedule for study or research
5. Plan of Study/Research: Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan
6. Community Service: Evidence of prior community and civic service in the home country
7. Country's Need: The need for specialised knowledge or skills in the applicant’s country
8. Financial Need: Demonstrated financial need
9. Motivation: Motivation for pursuing graduate study or research

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Rules & Regulations for the AAUW Fellowship!

AAUW international fellowship funds are designated for project-related expenses, covering various costs like office supplies and professional fees, but exclude salaries, tuition, and personal expenses. Here's a detailed breakdown.

Rules & Regulations

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AAUW Fellowship Funds Can Be Used For	AAUW Fellowship Funds Cannot Be Used For
Postage, mailing, shipping	Salaries or stipends for primary directors, project directors, or permanent positions
Photocopying, duplicating	Tuition
Office Supplies	Education scholarships, other payments, including grants for students and participants
Audiovisual materials	Building funds, construction, or renovations
Project-related telephone costs	Travel expenses except for project activity
Professional fees or honoraria for professional speakers or consultants	Overhead or general operating expenses for any organisation or nonprofit
Meals, food, beverages, or lodging for meetings, training, camps, or related activities	Personal expenses (shelter, vehicle, insurance)
Temporary/hourly clerical help	Previous expenditures, deficits, or loans (existing at the time of grant award)
Lease of equipment or facilities (excluding permanent office space)	Creating or providing grants to other organisations
Advertising, publicity, and graphic design	Copyright or attorney fees
Purchase of equipment & Transportation	Fundraising activities

Terms & Conditions for Acceptance of AAUW Funds

1. Contract Signing: Fellowship recipients must sign a contract upon acceptance
2. Full-Time Pursuit: Fellows must work full-time on their project from July 1 to June 30; partial fellowships are not awarded and cannot be deferred
3. Plan Changes: Any changes require prior written approval from AAUW international fellowships
4. Travel: Up to two months abroad for research is allowed with prior AAUW fellowship approval
5. Post-doctoral Fellows: Cannot pursue a degree during the fellowship year
6. Renewable Fellowships: Up to five Master's/First Professional Degree Fellowships are renewable for a second year
7. Stipend Payments: Made directly to fellows, not institutions
8. Tax Withholding: Stipend is subject to 14% or 30% tax withholding, depending on tax status
9. Tax Responsibility: Fellows are responsible for understanding their tax obligations
10. Visas: Fellows must secure their visas and follow visa policies

Exams Scores Required for AAUW Fellowship

The TOEFL and IELTS exams serve as essential benchmarks, assessing language proficiency and ensuring that candidates possess the necessary communication skills to thrive in our global academic environment.

Additionally, the requirement of Grade 12 and the Undergraduate Admission Test underscores our dedication to academic excellence. These exams are not just prerequisites; they are integral components of AAUW internal fellowships’ holistic approach to selecting scholars who will contribute meaningfully to their fields and communities.

Exam Scores & Requirements

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Exam	Requirement	Minimum Score
TOEFL	Mandatory	79
IELTS	Mandatory	6.5
Grade 12	Mandatory	-
Undergraduate Admission Test	Mandatory	-

Application Process for AAUW International Fellowships

You can begin your application for the AAUW scholarship by tapping on the "Apply Now" button. Next, create an account and complete the following areas:

1. Register

2. Click on New Application

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4. Fill the Program Key provided by your program coordinator

5. Fill out the Application Form

6. Submit

7. You can also choose to email them at AAUW (at)applyists(dot)com.

Note: Please ensure you have two recommendation letters from credible professionals, colleagues, and academicians.

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Documents Required for the AAUW Scholarship Application:

You need to provide two recommendation letters or LOR. Dossier services like Parchment or Interfolio are not accepted in recommendation letters. Recommendations must come from:

1. An organisation or individual in the applicant’s community who can affirm the applicant’s qualifications and ability to execute the project as proposed,
2. A colleague who is familiar with the applicant’s current academic and professional work

Preparation Tips To Get The AAUW Fellowship

1. Write Your Proposal: Craft a compelling proposal outlining your research objectives and methodology concisely yet persuasively.

2. Follow Instructions Well: Thoroughly review and adhere to all application guidelines to ensure your submission meets the fellowship's requirements.

3. Ground Level Work: Conduct thorough groundwork, including literature review and preliminary research, to strengthen the foundation of your proposal.

4. Have Realistic and Clear Goals: Set achievable yet ambitious goals for your project, ensuring they are clearly defined and aligned with the fellowship's objectives.

5. Maintain Transparency: Be honest and transparent about your qualifications, research intentions, and any challenges or limitations you may encounter during the project.

You are now all set to take your leap of faith with the AAUW international fellowships for women in the USA. We hope we helped you dive into all the details you might need to start your application.

Need to check out more options to fund your studies? There are plenty of scholarships available for the same. You may also take a look at some of the incredible scholarships in the USA for a more informed decision.