Written by admin• August 24, 2026• 12:09 pm• Uncategorized

Call for Applications: AAUW International Fellowships 2027-2028 – For Women Pursuing Graduate STEM Studies in the U.S.

Application Deadline: September 17, 2026

About the Fellowships

AAUW’s International Fellowships are dedicated to promoting education and advancing equity for women worldwide by providing vital support to international applicants pursuing graduate studies in the United States. These fellowships specifically target women who are interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, recognizing the importance of empowering women in these fields to foster innovation and leadership. Recipients are encouraged to apply their acquired expertise, professional skills, and leadership qualities to serve their home countries or communities, thereby contributing to sustainable development and gender equity on a global scale. In addition to the primary focus on study in the U.S., a limited number of awards are available for women seeking graduate education in countries other than their own, broadening the program’s reach and impact. These fellowships are exclusively designed for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, emphasizing the importance of supporting women with a strong record of academic excellence and a commitment to empowering other women and girls. Since its inception in 1917, the AAUW International Fellowships program has played a crucial role in supporting international women pursuing full-time postgraduate studies, helping to create a global network of empowered women leaders who are dedicated to making positive changes in their societies and beyond.

Fellowship Benefits

Master’s Degree: $20,000
Doctorate Degree: $25,000
Stipends are payable to fellows only and are disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the fellowship term

Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements:

Identify as a woman
Be admitted or enrolled in their first master’s or an academic or professional doctorate degree at the time of application, and the degree must be in one of the STEM disciplines
Begin their program on or before September 15, 2027, and complete it on or after April 30, 2028
Possess at least one academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned
Apply for only one degree type (either a Master’s or Doctoral program) and in a single specific field
Pursue their study in the U.S. on a full-time basis at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education
Reside in the U.S. or country of their study for the duration of the fellowship period

Citizenship & Immigration Status:

Fellowship recipients must be non-U.S. citizens and must not hold U.S. permanent resident status, nor be applicants for U.S. permanent residency (green card)

Not Eligible:

Current members of the AAUW Board of Directors
Current employees of AAUW
Current AAUW Review Panelists
Immediate families of individuals described above
Previous AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards)

Eligible Fields of Study

International Fellowships are available for master’s and academic and professional doctoral degree programs in STEM disciplines, including:

Life & Biological Sciences: Agricultural Sciences, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Botany/Plant Biology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Food Science, Genetics, Immunology, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Nutrition Science, Physiology, Plant Sciences, Zoology
Physical Science: Analytical Chemistry, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Space Science
Earth, Environmental & Space Sciences: Atmospheric Science, Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geography (quantitative/technical tracks), Geology, Geophysics, Hydrology, Marine Science, Meteorology, Natural Resource Science, Oceanography, Paleontology, Soil Science
Health & Medical Sciences (STEM-based): Biomedical Research, Biomedical Science, Epidemiology, Health & Medical Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Psychology/Psychiatry (quantitative/scientific tracks), Public Health (quantitative/scientific tracks), Toxicology
Computer, Data & Information Sciences: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Cloud Computing, Computational Modeling & Simulation, Computational Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Informatics, Information Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Machine Learning, Network Engineering, Robotics, Software Engineering
Core Engineering Disciplines:
Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering
Specialized & Interdisciplinary Engineering: Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Architecture (technical tracks), Astronautical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering Technology, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Marine Engineering, Mining Engineering, Nanotechnology Engineering, Naval Architecture, Nuclear Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Optical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Photonics Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning (quantitative/engineering focus)
Mathematics: Applied Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Mathematics
Statistics & Quantitative Fields: Actuarial Science, Econometrics (quantitative STEM track), Financial Mathematics, Probability, Quantitative Analysis, Statistics
Professional Doctorate Programs: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic (DO), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), Doctor of Optometry (OD), Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

If you are uncertain whether your program is classified as a STEM program and it is not included in the list above, you may consult the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which AAUW uses to determine STEM eligibility.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated Academic and/or Scholarly Excellence: A strong academic record supported by specific evidence appropriate to the applicant’s educational and career stage
Feasibility of the Proposed Academic, Professional, or Research Plan: A clear and achievable plan appropriate to the applicant’s master’s program and stage of study
Demonstrated Commitment to Women and Girls: A demonstrated commitment to advancing opportunities or equity for women and girls in the applicant’s home country or the community in which they reside
Long-Term Career Objectives and Commitment to Impact: Clear and achievable long-term STEM career objectives
Strength and Feasibility of the Financial Plan: A clear and realistic financial plan identifying anticipated educational and research-related expenses

Preferential Criteria:

From a country with historically low representation among AAUW award recipients
Pursuing an academic program outside their home country for the first time
Resides in their home country at the time of application
First-generation college graduate
Raised in or currently leads a single-parent household
Has caregiving responsibilities
Pursuing studies at R2 institutions or institutions with limited research resources

Application Requirements

Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, colleagues, or others who are academically or professionally familiar with the applicant.
Proof of Degree: Copy of all degrees earned to date. Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Transcripts: Official transcripts confirming conferral of all degrees received.
Copy of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) Calculation on a 4.0 Grading Scale: Proof that the CGPA of their highest earned degree is at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Proof of English Proficiency:

TOEFL iBT: 79
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test: 60
IELTS: 6.5
Cambridge Assessment: 176
Duolingo English Test (DET): 120

Proof of Admission or Current Enrollment:

Students who have been admitted but not yet started: official admission letter
Students currently enrolled: transcripts or enrollment verification letter

Proof of Graduate Women International Membership (if applicable):
If applicants plan to pursue studies or research outside of the U.S. during the fellowship year, and their country of citizenship is not subject to a U.S. travel ban.

Timeline