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:

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. 

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:

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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