Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
The AAUW Action Fund is currently accepting applications for its International Fellowships, designed to promote education and equity for women by supporting international students pursuing postgraduate studies or research in the United States. These fellowships aim to empower women by helping them apply their expertise, leadership, and professional skills in the context of their home countries after completing their studies.
Additionally, up to five awards are available to members of Graduate Women International who plan to study in a country other than their own. These fellowships are specifically intended for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to empowering women and girls in their communities.
The fellowship provides a stipend of $20,000 for those pursuing a master’s degree and $25,000 for doctoral candidates. These funds can be used for tuition, course-related materials, living expenses including childcare, housing, and food. However, the funds cannot be used for costs incurred before or after the official fellowship term.
To be eligible, applicants must identify as women and must be admitted or enrolled in their first master’s or doctoral degree program. Eligible degrees include M.A., M.S., M.B.A., J.D., M.D., Ph.D., among others. Candidates must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and must plan to begin their program by September 1, 2026. The program must be pursued full-time at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants are required to reside either in the U.S. or the country where their research will be conducted during the fellowship period. Those intending to study in a third country must be members of Graduate Women International and enroll at an institution eligible under U.S. federal student aid guidelines.
Fellowship recipients must be non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Up to five master’s degree candidates may receive a two-year fellowship if they are first-year students at the start of the fellowship term and rank among the most highly rated applicants.
Certain individuals are not eligible, including AAUW board members, staff, consultants, interns, review panelists, their immediate families, and past recipients of national AAUW fellowships or grants. Applications for other AAUW fellowships or grants during the same year are also ineligible.
Master’s degree applicants will be evaluated on academic excellence, commitment to applying their skills in their home countries, dedication to advancing women and girls, and feasibility of their study plans. Preference will be given to those from underrepresented countries, applicants currently residing in their home countries, and those pursuing their first international academic experience.
Doctoral degree applicants will be assessed based on scholarly excellence, originality of research, and potential impact on their field. Evaluators will also consider the applicant’s plans to return and contribute to their home countries, as well as their support for women and girls.
Applicants should note that incomplete or incorrect applications will not be reviewed. AAUW will not provide feedback on missing materials or allow edits after submission. No additional documents will be accepted once the deadline has passed, and extension requests will not be granted.
For more information, visit AAUW Action Fund.
