AAUW International Fellowship Program 2026

If you are planning to study in the USA with financial support, the AAUW Fellowship Program is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at USA universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the AAUW Fellowship Program, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

The AAUW Fellowship Program 2026-2027 is offered by the American Association of University Women, USA. International students from all countries are eligible to apply. This scholarship is only available for graduate and postgraduate studies in any subject offered by the university. The AAUW Fellowship Program covers $20,000 to $50,000 per year, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal.

AAUW (the American Association of University Women) awards International Fellowships 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 studies at accredited institutions are supported.

Originally designed to provide Latin American women opportunities for graduate and postgraduate study in the U.S., the International Fellowships program awarded its first fellowship in 1917. The program now includes women from around the world, and international fellowships have been awarded to more than 3,600 women from more than 150 nations.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
Institution(s): The American Association of University Women
Study Destination: USA
Deadline: August 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026 (Applications will open in August.)
Program Period: Fellowship year: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027
Courses Offered:

Business and Finance Studies
Computer Science & IT
Creative Arts and Design
Social Studies and Media
Environmental Sciences
Medicine
General Sciences
Health Studies
Agriculture and Veterinary
Applied and Pure Sciences
Architecture & Construction
Education and Training
Engineering
Mining and Oil & Gas Operations
Law
Travel and Hospitality
Humanities
Archeology
Anthropology
Economics
Dentistry
Nursery
Cultural and Critical Studies
History
Languages
Literature
Regional Studies
Religious Studies
Film & Television
Gender and women’s studies
Global studies
Journalism
Politics

Scholarship Coverage

The AAUW Fellowship provides the recipients with the following benefits:

Award Amounts:
- Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
- Doctoral: $25,
- Postdoctoral: $50,
International Fellowship funds are available for:
- Educational expenses.
- Living expenses.
- Dependent child care.
- Travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars, as long as it does not exceed 10 percent of the fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria for the AAUW Fellowship

To be eligible for the AAUW Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Required Language: English
Eligible Countries: All countries except the USA
Applicants must be or identify as a woman.
Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in their first master’s or an academic or professional doctorate at the time of application. Examples of master’s degrees include but are not limited to M.A., M.S., M.B.A., M.F.A., L.L.M., and M.Arch. Examples of academic and professional doctorate degrees include, but are not limited to, D.B.A., Ed.D., J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.
Applicants must begin their program on or before September 1, 2026, and complete it on or after April 30, 2027.
Applicants must possess at least one academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. While applicants may hold multiple degrees, they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned. Applicants may apply for only one degree type (either a master’s or doctoral program) and one single specific field (e.g., business, history, physics, etc.). Applicants pursuing a dual degree must select one field.
Applicants must pursue their studies in the U.S. on a full-time basis at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants must reside in the U.S. or the country of their research for the duration of the fellowship period.
Applicants intending to study in another country other than their own or the U.S. must be members of Graduate Women International and pursue study at an international institution recognized as eligible to participate in U.S. federal student aid programs, as listed on the Federal Student Aid Participating Schools list. (Foreign branches of U.S. institutions are considered outside of the U.S.)
Applicants interested in pursuing postdoctoral research are encouraged to consider AAUW’s International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

How to Apply for the AAUW Fellowship?

Please follow the steps below to avail the AAUW Fellowship:

Prepare the following documents:
- Three recommenders who are professors or professional colleagues well acquainted with you, your work, and your academic background are needed.
- Proof of the highest degree.
- Proof of current enrollment (currently enrolled applications only).
- Proof of a bachelor’s degree.
- Proof of a doctorate or M.F.A. degree (postdoctoral applicants only).
- Official report of TOEFL test scores or waiver request.
- Letter of admission.
- C.V./Résumé
Pass the eligibility quiz to be reviewed by the selection panel.
Complete the application, and then submit it.