Applications Are Open for AAUW International Project Grants

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

About the Grants

Lasting impact is fostered by AAUW’s International Project Grants by supporting International Fellowship alumnae who return to their home countries to lead community-based initiatives. Empowerment of alumnae to apply their academic expertise and leadership skills to projects that advance gender equity and improve the lives of women and girls is provided by these grants. From securing property rights for widows to establishing safe, dignified workspaces for cassava producers, urgent, deeply rooted equity challenges are addressed by alumnae-led initiatives. By providing targeted funding of up to $10,000, meaningful, locally grounded change in their communities is enabled to be driven by alumnae, and pathways toward greater opportunity and empowerment for women and girls are created. Funding of projects in historically underserved communities or those that serve at-risk groups is particularly sought by AAUW. Exclusively for charitable purposes that advance the social and economic empowerment of women and girls must all International Project Grant funds be used. Personal profit or financial benefit for the applicant must not be generated by projects.

Benefits of the Grants

• Funding of up to $10,000
• A flexible grant period to support charitable, community-based initiatives for the advancement of women
• Maintenance of grant funds in a separate individual account dedicated solely to approved project funds is required
• Adjustment of the final award amount based on the review of the proposed project budget and the allowability of specific expenses is reserved by AAUW
• Disbursement of the grant in two equal installments: the first payment issued at the beginning of the grant period and the second payment issued at the midpoint of the grant term, contingent upon satisfactory progress and submission of required reporting

Eligibility Requirements

• Identification as a woman is required of applicants
• Completion of an AAUW International Fellowship between June 2011 and June 2026 and fulfillment of all reporting requirements is required of applicants (If your fellowship year falls outside this time period, please contact awards@aauw.org. These requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
• Service as the primary project director, with control over all programmatic, budgetary, administrative, and editorial decisions, is required of applicants

Project Location

• Residence in and implementation of their project within their home country for the duration of the grant period is required of applicants
• If residence in or return to their home country is not possible due to humanitarian, safety, or other extenuating circumstances, implementation of the project in the country where they currently reside may be proposed by applicants

Citizenship & Immigration Status

• Non-U.S. citizens must be grant recipients, and U.S. permanent resident status must not be held, nor applications for U.S. permanent residency (green card) be made

Ineligible Applicants

Consideration is not eligible for the following:

• Current members of the AAUW Board of Directors
• Current employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns, and contract employees
• Current AAUW Review Panelists
• Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points above
• AAUW International Fellowships alumnae who did not successfully complete their academic program for which they received a fellowship, and/or who did not submit all required reporting in connection with their fellowship

Selection Criteria

• Clear alignment with AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls, demonstrated through a well-defined project plan and a direct, positive impact on these populations
• A clearly articulated project rationale that defines a specific, locally relevant need and demonstrates the project’s timeliness, sustainability, and significance, supported by qualitative and quantitative evidence (e.g., local data, community assessments, or stakeholder feedback)
• A clear project design that outlines specific, measurable target outcomes, proposed activities, and a framework that clearly connects project goals, activities, and anticipated results
• Demonstrated capacity of the applicant to implement the proposed project, evidenced by relevant skills, leadership, and prior experience leading or contributing to projects, programs, or initiatives – whether small, informal, or large – and supported by a realistic implementation plan, feasible budget, and documented stakeholder input informing the project timeline and resource allocation
• A reasonable and well-aligned project budget that supports the proposed activities and goals, with funding requests appropriate to the scope of work and demonstrating reasonable stewardship of grant funds
• Demonstrated commitment to learning and evaluation, evidenced by: (1) incorporation of monitoring and evaluation methods that enable assessment of project outcomes; and (2) a clear plan for sharing results and lessons learned with stakeholders and/or the communities the project serves
• Commitment to the social advancement and economic empowerment of women and girls in applicant’s home country or the community they reside in as demonstrated by applicant’s previous work and proposed project
• Demonstrated use of creative approaches to address the identified need, showing innovation in project design, problem-solving, or engagement with stakeholders (Preferred)

Application Requirements

A project proposal and a supporting budget make up the application form. A resume must also be uploaded to the application form by applicants. Eligibility and alignment with the program’s selection criteria should be demonstrated by the project proposal, supporting budget, and required documents. Completion of applications in English is required.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Grant Application Submission Period: August 17, 2026 – September 30, 2026)

Project Proposal Narrative

The following components must be addressed by applicants in their narrative:

• Abstract – A brief summary of the project, its objectives, and expected outcomes should be provided
• Community Context & Need – The local context, the specific need your project addresses, and any supporting evidence (e.g., local data, community assessments, stakeholder feedback) should be described
• Project Description – Your project goals, target outcomes, and activities should be explained, showing how they connect to the intended results
• Leadership and Community Engagement – How you will engage stakeholders or community members in your project through your relevant skills and experience should be described
• Project Timeline – A clear, detailed, and realistic timeline outlining key project activities, milestones, and expected outputs over the grant period should be provided
• Sustainability Plan – How your project outcomes will be maintained beyond the grant period should be described
• Monitoring & Evaluation – How you will assess project outcomes and how results or lessons learned will be shared with stakeholders and the communities served should be explained

NOTE: Use of generative AI tools to support and enhance the preparation of their application narratives is permitted for applicants. However, generative AI should be used as an assistive resource not as a substitute for the applicant’s own ideas, experiences, analysis, or writing. Reflection of the applicant’s authentic voice and original work should be ensured in application narratives.

Project Budget

Submission of the following is required of applicants:

• An accurate, itemized budget for the proposed project
• A budget narrative explaining line items, resource allocation, and justification of costs

Prior written approval from AAUW must be received for any significant modification to the approved project budget before funds are reallocated.

Supporting Document

• Resume or CV – Academic background, professional experience, leadership, and prior project involvement (small, informal, or large) should be highlighted

Responsibility for the submission of all required documents lies with applicants. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Ineligible Expenses

Funding is not eligible for the following expenses:

• Construction, renovations, or infrastructure projects
• Fundraising activities
• Making grants to other organizations or individuals
• Payments to the applicant or reimbursement of personal expenses
• Previous expenditures or repayment of loans
• Political campaigns, lobbying (to influence legislation), or voter registration drives
• Salaries of any kind
• Scholarship or tuition payments

Personal financial benefits or profits for the applicant must not be generated by projects.

Capital equipment purchases are generally discouraged and will only be considered when the equipment is essential to carrying out the proposed project. A clear justification explaining why it is necessary for project implementation must be included in any request for capital equipment, as well as a disposition plan describing how the equipment will be donated or transferred at the end of the grant period for continued charitable use. Retention of equipment purchased with grant funds for personal or non-charitable use after the grant period concludes is not permitted. Durable items with a useful life of more than one year, such as laptops, tablets, cameras, printers, specialized tools, laboratory or medical equipment, or other long-term project assets, are referred to as capital equipment.

Evaluation Process

Assessment of all applications is made by an independent review panel comprised of nonprofit leaders, business management experts, and AAUW alumnae.

Reporting Requirements

• Mid-term narrative and financial report
• Final narrative and financial report at the end of the grant period that includes project outcomes, documentation of results, impact, and key lessons learned

Financial reports must include:

• A detailed accounting of expenditures
• A comparison of actual spending against the approved budget

Maintenance of accurate financial records, including receipts, invoices, contracts, is required of grant recipients, and provision of these records to AAUW upon request must be made.

Return of any unused funds that exceed $250 or unallowable funds to AAUW at the end of the grant period is required. Depending on the tax laws of the country in which the grantee resides, grant funds may be subject to taxation. Determination of and compliance with any applicable tax obligations is the grantee’s sole responsibility. Tax advice is not provided by AAUW, and tax forms for International Project Grants are not issued. Consultation with a tax professional or local tax authority for guidance regarding their individual circumstances is encouraged for grantees.

How to Apply

Completion of an online form in AAUW’s application portal is how the application is submitted. Preparation or upload of a separate project proposal document or application should not be done by applicants. To begin your application, visit the AAUW Fellowships & Grants Application Portal to create an account or log in. For step-by-step guidance on completing your application, refer to the Application Instructions.

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