Empowering Women Scholars: AAUW International Fellowships

Scholarship Description:

The United States offers exceptional higher education opportunities to international students with its top-class academic programs, world-class institutions, and diverse learning environments. With over 1,000,000 international students choosing the USA, it holds the largest international student population globally, providing a unique and enriching educational experience.

The United States government annually offers fully or partially funded scholarships to international students, fostering inclusivity and welcoming individuals from all genders and ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, renowned universities in the USA, such as Knight-Hennessy Scholars and Fulbright Foreign Student Programs, actively invite students worldwide through their scholarship programs. You can explore the available scholarships offered by universities in the USA.

Since 1917, the International Fellowships program has supported women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents and wish to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States or other countries (excluding their home country). This program also extends its support to members of Graduate Women International. It encompasses both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions.

Applicants must have obtained a U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalent by the application deadline and have applied to their desired institutions of study by that time. Successful candidates are selected based on their academic achievements and demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women and girls.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, that advocates for equity in education and research for women and girls. Annually, the AAUW offers scholarships through the International Fellowships program, providing selected students with opportunities for advanced learning in undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs.

Continue reading to learn more about the acceptance rate, GPA requirements, eligibility and selection criteria, and other valuable information regarding the American Association of University Women scholarships. The application link can be found below.

Degree Level:

AAUW International Fellowships in USA 2023 | Up to $50,000 is available for Fellowship and Postgraduate level programs at the American Association of University Women.

Available Subjects:

This scholarship program offers opportunities to study various subjects.

All Subjects

Scholarship Benefits:

Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
Doctoral: $25,000
Postdoctoral: $50,000

Eligible Nationalities:

Open to all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria:

International Fellowships are not available to previous recipients of any AAUW national fellowship or grant, excluding branch or local awards or Community Action Grants. Additionally, members of the AAUW board of directors, committees, panels, task forces, and staff, including current interns, are not eligible to apply for AAUW’s fellowships and grants. However, current award holders can still be considered for election or appointment to various positions.

International Fellowships are open to women, including those who identify as women, from all fields of study at accredited higher education institutions. Final decisions regarding eligible institutions are made by AAUW.

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

– Hold citizenship in a country other than the U.S. or possess a nonimmigrant visa if residing in the U.S. Applicants who are currently U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or dual citizens with the U.S. and another country are ineligible.
– Have an academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by November 15, 2022, earned either in the U.S. or abroad.
– Intend to dedicate themselves full-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year.
– Plan to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
– Possess proficiency in English, which can be confirmed through specific Required Components such as English proficiency

exams, transcripts from English-speaking institutions, or a written statement verifying English as the applicant’s native language. Applicants intending to take accepted English proficiency exams should plan and take the test as early as possible.
– For Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants, they must have applied to an accredited U.S. institution for the fellowship year by November 15, 2022. While acceptance is not mandatory at the time of application, official confirmation from the institution is required along with the award acceptance materials.
– Master’s/first professional degree fellowships are intended for programs at the master’s or professional degree level, such as J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., or medical degrees like M.D., D.D.S., etc. Certificates, associate degrees, and undergraduate degrees are not eligible.
– Doctoral fellowships are intended for research-focused doctorate degrees, such as Ph.D. or Ed.D.
– Postdoctoral applicants must provide proof of their doctorate degree, hold a research degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or an M.F.A. by November 15, 2022, and indicate their research location.
– Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. accredited institution located in the U.S. during the fellowship year.
– A limited number of awards are available to members of Graduate Women International for study or research in countries other than their own. Foreign branches of U.S. institutions are considered outside of the U.S.
– Applicants can apply for the fellowship for any year of their program but must be conducting a full year of study or research. Partial-year programs or those ending before April of the fellowship year are not eligible.
– Distance learning/online programs: Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral fellowships only support traditional classroom-based courses at colleges or universities. This program does not fund distance learning or online programs or degrees heavily dependent on distance learning components. Decisions regarding distance learning eligibility will be made by AAUW. Applicants temporarily studying remotely due to COVID-19 precautions at their institution may still apply.
– Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis depending on the available funds in a given fiscal year. Recommendations by the panel are subject to final approval by AAUW.

To ensure a fair review process, AAUW does not provide feedback on application deliberations or offer evaluations. Fellowship proposals cannot be reconsidered, and submitted applications and supporting documents become the property of AAUW.

Applicants residing in their home country at the time of application, hailing from developing/emerging countries, or representing underrepresented groups in any region will receive special consideration. The selection criteria encompass factors such as the applicant’s position on returning to their home country, academic and professional qualifications, commitment to advancing women and girls in their home country, proposed time schedule, quality and feasibility of the study or research plan, demonstrated prior community and civic service, the country’s need for the specialized knowledge or skill, financial need, and motivation for graduate study or research.

Application Procedure:

Recommendations, Documents & Review
Recommendations:
Provide three recommendations from professors or professional colleagues who are familiar with the applicant’s work, academic background, and scholarly pursuits. Preferably, recommenders should be professors or professional colleagues in the applicant’s home country who can attest to their qualifications and the country’s need for the specialized skills or knowledge they intend to acquire through their proposed study or research. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services like Parment or Interfolio.

Documents:

– Proof of highest degree: Upload transcripts** from the college or university where the highest degree (not a certificate) was obtained. The highest degree must be at least a bachelor’s degree and must have been earned on or

before November 15, 2022. Transcripts should include a list of courses taken and grades received. If the transcript does not include this information or the degree did not require coursework, an official letter from the institution indicating the degree completion date must be uploaded. Additional certificates or documents received during education should not be uploaded.
– Proof of current enrollment (for currently enrolled applicants): Upload transcripts**/lists of courses/institution letters from the applicant’s current college or university, if applicable. Transcripts should list the courses taken and grades received. If the fall 2022 semester grades are not available on the transcript, a list of courses taken during that semester can be provided by the Office of the Registrar. Similar to the highest degree proof, if the institution does not provide transcripts or lists of courses and grades, an official letter with the completion date should be uploaded.
– Proof of a doctorate or M.F.A. degree (for postdoctoral applicants): Upload any of the following:
– Transcript showing the degree and date received (on or before November 15, 2022)
– Official letter from the institution where the degree was received, including the degree completion date
– Copy of the diploma indicating the date the degree was received (on or before November 15, 2022)
– Proof of English proficiency: Upload one of the following:
– Official report of an acceptable and valid TOEFL or IELTS score. Valid scores must be within two years. Institutional TOEFL scores and other English proficiency test scores are not accepted.
– Minimum acceptable scores:
– TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test): 79
– TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
– Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test: 60
– IELTS: 6.5
– Written statement confirming English proficiency as the applicant’s native language.
– Academic transcript or diploma from an English-speaking institution attesting to one of the following:
– Secondary diploma or undergraduate degree obtained from an English-speaking institution.
– One semester of full-time study in the applicant’s discipline at an English-speaking institution between November 2020 and November 2022.
*A certified English translation is required for all components provided in a foreign language. Translations must bear a mark of certification or official signature indicating their accuracy and completeness.*

**All transcripts must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, all courses taken, grades received, and any other information specified in the application instructions.*