American Association of University Women (AAUW) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding for graduate women. They have 100,000 members, 1000 branches and 500 college partners worldwide.

In the 2008-2009 academic year, they provided 4.5 million dollars in funding for more than 250 grants, fellowships and special awards.

AAUW supports:

AAUW Fellowships and Grants:

American Fellowships- Supports female doctoral candidates completing dissertations and scholars seeking funds for postdoctoral research leave or for preparing completed research for publication. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. One-year postdoctoral research leave fellowships, dissertation fellowships, and summer/short-term research publication grants are offered.

Career Development Grants- Supports women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Grants provide support for course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Funds are available for distance learning. Course work must be taken at an accredited two, or four-year college or university in the United States, or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for PhD-level work.

Community Action Grants- Provide funds to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls.

International Fellowships- Are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported. Several fellowships are available for study outside of the U.S.

Selected Professions Fellowships- Are awarded to women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who intend to pursue a full-time course of study (during the fellowship year) in designated degree programs where women’s participation has traditionally been low.

For more detailed information regarding the application process.

or to order copies of the AAUW Educational Foundation fellowships brochure that includes general descriptions for each fellowship program, or e-mail [email protected], call 319/337-1716 ext. 60, or write to the customer service center at:

AAUW Educational Foundation
Dept. 60
301 ACT Drive
Iowa City, IA 52243-4030

Questions about applications must be directed to the Iowa City office. Please do not contact the AAUW Educational Foundation office in Washington, D.C., or local branches for application information.