American Dissertation Fellowship

AAUW's American Dissertation Fellowship supports women pursuing doctoral degrees during their final year of dissertation writing. Established in 1888, this fellowship is AAUW's flagship initiative and the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The fellowship deepens AAUW's impact by accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia. The fellowship is open to women in all fields of study, with special encouragement for those engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, or those researching gender issues. Fellows are required to devote 100% of their working time and intellectual effort to completing their dissertation during the fellowship term from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, course-required expenses like books and supplies, as well as housing, food, and other living expenses including childcare. The fellowship supports scholars who have completed all coursework, passed preliminary exams, and have an approved research proposal.