The AAUW International Fellowship, run by the American Association of University Women since 1888, funds full-time graduate and postgraduate study in the U.S. for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Awards range from $20,000 for master’s study to $50,000 for postdoctoral research, and selection puts real weight on returning home afterward to contribute professionally; not just academic merit.
AAUW Fellowships Summary
- Sponsor: American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- Study Level: Masters, Doctoral, Postdoctoral
- Institution(s): (any accredited institution, any discipline)
- Study in: United States
- Award Value: Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
Doctoral: $25,000
Postdoctoral: $50,000 - Application Opens: September 3, 2025
- Deadline: November 15, 2025
- Fellowship year: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Fields of Study
Open to all disciplines at accredited U.S. universities, with particular representation in:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Health and Public Policy
- Law, International Relations, and Development Studies
- Education and Social Sciences
- Arts, Humanities, and Media Studies
Eligibility
To qualify for the AAUW Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be a woman and hold citizenship in a country other than the U.S. or possession of a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the U.S.
- Hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by the application deadline.
- Intend to devote themselves full-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year.
- Have the intention to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
- Be proficient in English and confirm proficiency by submitting one of the English proficiency exams, transcripts from English-speaking institutions, or a written statement verifying English is the applicant’s native language.
- Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must have applied by the AAUW application deadline, to an accredited institution of study for the period of the fellowship year and must indicate the name of the institution in the International Fellowship application.
Benefits
- Master’s/First Professional Degree: $20,000
- Doctoral Degree: $25,000
- Postdoctoral Research: $50,000
- Educational expenses.
- Living expenses, including dependent child care.
- Travel funding for professional conferences (up to 10% of the total award)
How to Apply
- Create an account and start your application at AAUW’s International Fellowship portal
- Complete all four sections: Start, Background, Proposal, and Recommendations/Documents/Review
- Write your research or study proposal: this functions similarly to a statement of purpose; our guide to writing a scholarship statement of purpose covers structure if you are starting from scratch
- Upload proof of English proficiency (test score or written native-language statement plus supporting transcript)
- Submit two recommendations from professors or professional colleagues who know your work well. See our recommendation letter guide for how to request these effectively
- Submit before the 15 November deadline: AAUW does not accept late applications
Selection Criteria
AAUW weighs several factors beyond academics:
- Special consideration for applicants from developing/emerging countries, currently residing in their home country, or from underrepresented groups
- Clarity and credibility of your plan to return home professionally
- Academic and professional qualifications
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing women and girls in your home country
- Feasibility of your proposed study/research timeline
- Prior community or civic service in your home country
- Your country’s need for the specific expertise you’re pursuing
- Financial need
- Genuine motivation for graduate study, not just credential-building
Key Dates & Application Status
Applications for the 2027 academic intake are now closed (previous cycles ran from September 3, 2025 to November 15, 2025).
Applications for the next intake (2028 intake) are scheduled to open on November 15, 2027.
FAQ
Can I apply if I’m already living in the U.S. on a visa?
Yes, as long as you hold a nonimmigrant visa and aren’t a citizen or permanent resident.
Is the fellowship renewable for multiple years of study?
No: it covers one fellowship year (July-June); confirm with AAUW whether reapplication is possible for subsequent years of a longer program.
Does “intent to return home” get verified, or is it just a statement?
It is a genuine selection factor AAUW weighs, not a formality – your application should credibly demonstrate this, not just state it.
What if my undergraduate degree wasn’t in English?
You will need to submit an accepted English proficiency test score, since the native-language exemption only applies if English is genuinely your first language.
Related Reading
For another U.S.-based option, see our guide to National Medical Fellowships if you are specifically in medical school and hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status: note that program has different eligibility than AAUW’s international fellowship.
Apply directly: AAUW International Fellowship
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Confirm current deadlines and award amounts on AAUW’s official page before applying.
