AAUW International Fellowships fund women from outside the United States pursuing graduate study specifically in STEM fields — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — at accredited US institutions. This is a real, recent narrowing worth knowing before you invest any time here: the fellowship is no longer open to all academic disciplines the way it once was. The next cycle opens 17 August 2026 and closes 17 September 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
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About the AAUW International Fellowship
Since 1917, AAUW has awarded International Fellowships to more than 3,600 women from over 150 nations. Originally created to support Latin American women pursuing graduate study in the US, the programme has since expanded worldwide — but its focus has narrowed specifically to STEM disciplines under current rules. It funds women with a demonstrated record of academic excellence and genuine commitment to empowering other women and girls, who intend to apply their education back home or in the communities they serve.
A limited number of additional awards are available specifically for members of Graduate Women International (GWI) pursuing study in a country other than their own.
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AAUW International Fellowships Summary
| Fellowship Name ⇒ | AAUW International Fellowships |
| Host Country ⇒ | United States |
| Host ⇒ | American Association of University Women (AAUW) |
| Study Level ⇒ | Master’s, Doctoral (STEM fields only) | Fellowships |
| Eligibility ⇒ | Women who are non-US citizens or permanent residents |
| Benefits ⇒ | $20,000 (Master’s) or $25,000 (Doctoral) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 17 August 2026 – 17 September 2026, 5:00 PM ET |
Eligibility Requirements
- Identify as a woman
- Be a non-US citizen or non-permanent resident
- Hold a degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 for your highest degree earned
- Be admitted to or enrolled in a full-time Master’s or doctoral programme, in a STEM discipline specifically, at the time of application
- Apply for only one degree type — Master’s or Doctoral, not both — and in a single specific field, even if you’re completing a dual degree
- Begin your programme on or before 15 September 2027, and complete it on or after 30 April 2028
- Study full-time at an institution accredited by the US Department of Education
- Reside in the US, or in your research country, during the fellowship year
Not eligible:
- US citizens or permanent residents
- AAUW employees, board members, review panelists, or their immediate family
- Previous recipients of this specific AAUW fellowship (Community Action Grant recipients are exempt from this restriction)
If you’ve deferred your admission, you remain eligible provided your new start and end dates still fall within the required window — submit proof of admission alongside your deferral approval. If humanitarian or other extenuating circumstances prevent you from returning to or residing in your home country, your application is still considered, evaluated instead on your engagement with your home communities or the communities where you currently reside.
What the AAUW International Fellowships Covers
- $20,000 for Master’s-level fellows
- $25,000 for Doctoral-level fellows
- Funds paid in two installments — at the start and midpoint of the fellowship year
- A possible one-year renewal for strong-performing Master’s candidates in two-year programmes
- Recognition and ongoing support from one of the longest-running international education funding programmes for women worldwide
Worth knowing before you budget: fellowship stipends are generally subject to a tax rate of either 14% or 30%, depending on your specific tax status and any relevant treaty between the US and your home country.
Required Documents
- Narrative application, including your personal statement and goals
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts
- Proof of academic degrees (certificate or diploma copies)
- Official transcripts for all degrees earned
- Proof of your GPA, minimum 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, with transcript or certified GPA conversion
- Proof of English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120, or Cambridge 176 — or a transcript from an English-medium institution, or a statement if you’re a native speaker
- Proof of admission or enrollment (offer letter, enrollment letter, or course listing)
- Proof of Graduate Women International membership, if applying for study outside the US
- Certified English translations for any documents in another language
- Proof of a name change, if the name on your documents differs from your application
How to Apply
- Confirm your intended field of study is genuinely a STEM discipline under AAUW’s current definition before investing further time
- Visit AAUW’s official Fellowships & Grants page starting 17 August 2026
- Gather every required document listed above in advance — recommendation letters and English proficiency scores especially take real time to arrange
- Complete the full application and upload every document before 17 September 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Email [email protected] directly if you’re genuinely unsure about eligibility or a specific document requirement
- Wait for a decision — AAUW communicates all outcomes, including rejections and waitlists, by email around 15 April the following year, and does not respond to status inquiries before that date
Official Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AAUW International Fellowship still open to all fields of study?
No. It’s currently restricted to STEM disciplines specifically — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Confirm your intended field qualifies before applying.
When does the current AAUW International Fellowship cycle open and close?
Applications open 17 August 2026 and close 17 September 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Can I apply for both a Master’s and Doctoral fellowship in the same cycle?
No. You may apply for only one degree type, in a single specific field, even if you’re pursuing a dual degree programme.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
Decisions are communicated by email around 15 April of the year following the September deadline. AAUW does not release decisions early or respond to status inquiries before then.
What if I can’t return to my home country after the fellowship due to humanitarian circumstances?
Your application will still be considered, evaluated instead based on your engagement with your home communities or the communities where you currently reside.
Disclaimer: All fellowship details, including the STEM-only restriction, were verified directly against AAUW’s official website as of August 2026. Given the imminent application window, confirm all current details directly at aauw.org before applying.
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