AAUW (American Association of University Women)
CatalogAbout
AAUW (American Association of University Women) has been empowering women since 1881. The organization advances gender equity through education and advocacy, working to achieve equity for women and girls. AAUW's mission focuses on expanding access to higher education through fellowships and grants, advocating for inclusive policies including Title IX enforcement, equal pay, and reproductive health access, and strengthening their nationwide member network to drive change.
Funding Opportunities
International Project Grants
AAUW's International Project Grants foster lasting impact by supporting International Fellowship alumnae who return to their home countries to lead community-based initiatives. These grants empower alumnae to apply their academic expertise and leadership skills to projects that advance gender equity and improve the lives of women and girls. From securing property rights for widows to establishing safe and dignified workspaces for cassava producers, alumnae-led initiatives address urgent and deeply rooted equity challenges. By providing targeted funding, AAUW enables alumnae to drive meaningful, locally grounded change — supporting vulnerable yet resilient communities and creating pathways toward greater opportunity and empowerment for women and girls. The grants are awarded exclusively to AAUW International Fellowship alumnae who have successfully completed their academic programs and all related reporting requirements. Recipients must be the primary project director with control over all programmatic, budgetary, administrative, and editorial decisions, leading projects that have a direct positive impact for women and girls in their community.
American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship
The American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship increases the number of women in research, development, and academic leadership, and promotes gender equity in higher education by providing funding to women in academia to pursue independent research over the course of a year. The American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship supports early-career postdoctoral scholars – within four years of receiving their Ph.D. – including both new applicants and AAUW alumnae. The fellowship is open to applicants in all fields of study, though those engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply. Established in 1888, AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate and postdoctoral funding for women in the United States. The fellowship carries a stipend of $50,000 payable to fellows only and disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the fellowship term. Fellows are required to devote 100% of their working time and intellectual effort to their research during the fellowship year. Fellowship awards may be used for research expenses and publication fees, as well as housing, food, and other living expenses including childcare. Selection is based on scholarly excellence, originality of research design, feasibility of research plans, teaching experience, and demonstrated commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities, professions, or fields of research. Preference is given to applicants pursuing postdoctoral studies in STEM fields or researching gender issues, as well as those who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming life challenges, first-generation bachelor's degree recipients, and those from single parent households.
American Short-Term Research Publication Grants
American Short-Term Research Publication Grants aim to increase the number of women in research, development, and academic leadership, and to promote gender equity across all spheres of research by providing funding to support women in preparing research manuscripts for publication. Grants are open to applicants in all fields of study, though those engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply. Established in 1888, AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate and postdoctoral funding for women in the United States. The grant provides $8,000 to support activities such as drafting, editing, or modifying manuscripts, replicating research, responding to issues raised through critical review, or other work to increase the likelihood of research publication. Grantees may also use funds to defray living expenses during their award term, including housing, food, and dependent care.
American Dissertation Fellowship
AAUW's American Dissertation Fellowship is designed to offset scholars' expenses during one year of their doctoral program and deepen AAUW's impact by accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia. Established in 1888, AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The fellowship is open to women in all fields of study, though those engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply. American Doctoral Fellows are required to devote 100% of their working time and intellectual effort to the completion of their dissertation during the fellowship year. The fellowship carries a stipend of $25,000, disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and midpoint of the fellowship term. Fellowship awards may be used for tuition, fees, course-required expenses like books and supplies, as well as housing, food, and other living expenses including childcare.
Career Development Grants
Career Development Grants champion gender equity in education and workplaces by investing up to $8,000 in women pursuing a certificate or training program needed to enter, transition into, or advance within fields where they are underrepresented, including but not limited to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and career pathways. Grants fund short-term, accredited programs. AAUW also welcomes applications from women in any field in which women are underrepresented at the leadership level, such as business, law, or STEM fields, who are currently employed and seek executive-level or leadership development training to advance into decision-making roles. AAUW aims to help close the gender gap in underrepresented professions, including in technical and executive leadership roles, by supporting a broad range of career trajectories. AAUW's Career Development Grants place particular emphasis on strengthening women's participation and leadership in STEM and other fields where gender disparities persist, and in programs that lead to tangible employment outcomes or advancement within 6-12 months. Applicants must pursue an accredited certificate or training program in a field where women hold less than 50% representation in the field or in senior positions at a national, regional, or local level. Examples of eligible fields include architecture, engineering, executive leadership or management training, mathematics, natural and physical sciences, technology, and other underrepresented fields such as business, finance, law, and emerging technical or applied trades. Grant funds are payable to grantees only and are disbursed in full, at the beginning of the grant term or at the start of the program. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, required course materials, transportation assistance, and dependent care. Applications are reviewed and awarded annually on a competitive, rolling basis through three review rounds.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 9
- Active Now
- 5
- Source Domain
- aauw.org
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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