Hello, GradFund Conversations readers! Today, we are going to provide some information on opportunities funded and administered by the American Association of University Women, or the AAUW for short. The AAUW is a nationwide organization of members and contributors that works to empower women and girls professionally and academically.
Specific to our purposes, the AAUW offer several fellowships for women who share or embody this goal. Potential applicants often worry that their research project must focus on women and girls. This, however, is not the case. Although many of their awardees write dissertations that focus on gender, this is not a requirement to be competitive. More importantly, the AAUW wants to see a personal and professional commitment to empowering women and girls through civic engagement. The AAUW also has a vested interest in drawing girls and young women into the STEM fields, in which they are traditionally under-represented. If you think your interests align with the AAUW, keep reading for more on the funding opportunities the organization provides.
The AAUW International Fellowship
After reading the “American” part of the AAUW, you may think they ignore our international sisters. Fret not! There is a great opportunity for you as well!
The International Fellowship supports women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who are studying at U.S. institutions. The fellowship also supports several stages of study. The International Fellowship supports master’s ($18,000/year), PhD ($20,000/year) or post-graduate ($30,000/year) work for up to two years. The AAUW considers two separate but important competitive areas: a strong dissertation and the applicant’s commitment to women and girls. Applications are typically due December 1 each year. You can find more information about the AAUW International Fellowship here.
The AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship
The American Dissertation Fellowship provides funding to women who are U.S. citizens for one year to complete the dissertation. Generally, this means you would apply for funding to support your last year in a PhD program. Applicants from all fields are welcome to apply. The award includes a $20,000 stipend, and much like the International Fellowship, the AAUW evaluates each American Dissertation Fellowship application on the strength of the dissertation project as well as the applicant’s commitment to women and girls. Applications are typically due November 15 each year. You can find more information of the AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship here.
The Selected Professions Fellowships
One mission of the AAUW is to recruit and retain women and girls in areas where they are traditionally under-represented. These include the STEM fields as well as some advanced professions, such as Law and Business Administration.
Specifically, Selected Professions Fellowships are awarded for the following master’s programs:
- Architecture
- Computer/information sciences
- Engineering
- Mathematics/statistics
Fellowships in the following degree programs are restricted to women of color, who have traditionally been underrepresented in these fields:
- Master’s in business administration — applicants may apply for second year of study only
- Law — applicants may apply for third year of study only
- Doctorate in medicine — applicants may apply for third or fourth year of study only
Applications are typically due January 10 each year. You can find more information on the AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship here.
More information about the AAUW can be found at their website. Give it a read to decide if the opportunities they offer are a good fit for you. If you are interested in applying for any of the opportunities offered by the AAUW, set up an Application Review Appointment with GradFund.
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