AAUW International Fellowships for Women 2026-2027 (MS and PHD)

Applications are now open for the AAUW International Fellowships for Women 2026-2027. This prestigious program empowers non-U.S. women to pursue postgraduate studies or research in the United States, fostering leadership and gender equity worldwide. Open to a wide range of fields, including master’s degrees (e.g., M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.F.A.), doctoral programs (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A.), and postdoctoral research, the fellowships offer funding with stipends of $20,000 for master’s and $25,000 for doctoral degrees. The application period runs from August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, and there is no application fee. Start preparing now to join a global network of women leaders!  Check more BS, MS and PhD positions.

What Are AAUW International Fellowships?

The AAUW International Fellowships provide financial support for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to pursue full-time postgraduate studies or research. The program supports:

• Master’s/First Professional Degree: Programs like M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., J.D., M.D., or D.D.S.
• Doctoral Degrees: Academic or professional degrees like Ph.D., Ed.D., or D.B.A.
• Postdoctoral Research: Applicants interested in postdoctoral research should apply for the AAUW International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowships offer stipends to support your studies:

• Master’s/First Professional Degree: $20,000
• Doctoral Degree: $25,000

Key Details

• Fields: Master’s (e.g., M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch.), Doctoral (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A.), Postdoctoral (separate program)
• Funding: $20,000 for Master’s, $25,000 for Doctoral
• Eligibility: Non-U.S. citizen women, bachelor’s degree equivalent with 3.5 GPA
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Application Fee: None

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Gender: Identify as a woman.
• Citizenship: Be a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Academic Background:
  • Hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • For master’s or doctoral applicants, be admitted or enrolled in a program at an accredited U.S. institution by the application deadline.
  • For postdoctoral applicants, apply through the AAUW International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

Check also: University of London Scholarships

Program Details

• Pursue full-time study at a U.S. institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, starting on or before September 1, 2026, and ending on or after April 30, 2027.
• Apply for one degree type (master’s or doctoral) in a single field (e.g., Business, History, Physics). For dual degrees, select one field.
• GWI members may study in a country other than their own or the U.S. at an institution eligible for U.S. federal student aid.
• Residency: Reside in the U.S. or the country of research during the fellowship period (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).
• Commitment: Demonstrate a track record of supporting women and girls through community or professional work and plan to return to your home country to apply your expertise.

See Also: University of Melbourne Graduate Scholarships

Application Requirements

Prepare the following documents for your application:

• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from professors, advisors, or colleagues familiar with your academic or professional qualifications. Use professional email addresses for recommenders.
• Proof of Degree: Copies of all degree certificates/diplomas, including a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s. If not in English, include a certified translation.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts showing all degrees earned, including courses, grades, and degree conferral. If no transcript is available, submit an institutional letter confirming degree completion.
• Proof of GPA: Documentation showing a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for your highest degree. If your institution uses a different scale, provide an official conversion or use a tool like Scholaro’s GPA Calculator or a WES/ECE evaluation.
• Proof of English Proficiency (one of the following):
  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
  • Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test: 60
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • Cambridge Assessment: 176
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 120
  • Written statement confirming English as your native language
  • Academic transcript/diploma from an English-speaking institution
  • Proof of one semester of full-time study in your discipline at an English-speaking institution
• Proof of Admission/Enrollment: Official admission letter with the program’s start date or transcripts/enrollment verification from your current institution.
• GWI Membership Proof (if applicable): For study outside the U.S. or home country, provide an official letter, membership certificate, or documentation confirming GWI membership.
• Name Change Documentation (if applicable): Marriage certificate or court letter if your name differs from documents.

Study in Thailand: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Post-graduate Scholarship 

Application Process

AAUW is transitioning to a new awards management system, and application instructions are not yet available. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Viisit the official website (https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/)
2. Open the application (Click here)
3. Review Eligibility: Confirm you meet all criteria and understand funding priorities.
4. Prepare Documents: Gather all required materials listed above.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by panels of scholars in Arts, Humanities, Natural/Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences based on:

• Master’s Applicants:
  • Academic excellence (GPA, awards, peer recognition).
  • Commitment to supporting women and girls and applying skills in your home country.
  • Clear, actionable study plan with a feasible timeline and funding strategy.
  • Position upon returning to your home country.
• Doctoral Applicants:
  • Scholarly excellence and recognition.
  • Original research with potential for significant contributions to the field.
  • Commitment to supporting women and girls and applying skills in your home country.
  • Feasible research plan with a clear timeline and funding strategy.
  • Position upon returning to your home country.

Preferences: Applicants from underrepresented countries, those pursuing their first international academic experience, or those residing in their home country during application.

Study in US: Karsh International Scholarship at Duke University
Study in Indonesia: UMS Indonesia Scholarship 

Selection Process

• Initial Review: AAUW’s Fellowships & Grants Team checks applications for completeness and eligibility.
• Panel Review: Independent panels evaluate applications based on selection criteria. Only complete applications with all required documents are considered.
• Final Approval: Awards are granted competitively based on panel recommendations and available funds, subject to AAUW approval.
• Key Notes:
  • Incomplete or incorrect applications are not reviewed.
  • No feedback is provided on applications.
  • Applications cannot be edited after submission, and additional materials are not accepted post-deadline.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applicants interested in postdoctoral research should apply for the AAUW International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, a separate program. Specific details (e.g., stipend amount, eligibility) are not provided here but are available on the AAUW website. Eligible applicants must hold a research-based doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or M.F.A. and pursue full-time research.

Source: AAUW’s International Fellowships program.