AAUW International Fellowships for Women.
For women from countries outside the United States who want to pursue advanced education in STEM, the AAUW International Fellowships for Women provide an opportunity to receive financial support for postgraduate study. The program is designed for women who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and a commitment to improving opportunities for women and girls.
The fellowship is particularly relevant to international women planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in the United States in an eligible STEM discipline.
For the 2027-28 fellowship year, the program offers $20,000 for master’s degree recipients and $25,000 for doctoral degree recipients. However, applicants should understand that the award is a fellowship stipend rather than an automatic full-ride scholarship covering every expense.
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AAUW International Fellowships for Women
The AAUW International Fellowship is a postgraduate funding program administered by the American Association of University Women.
The program has supported international women pursuing advanced education for more than a century. Its purpose goes beyond helping students earn degrees. AAUW seeks women who will use their education, professional skills and leadership to benefit women and girls in their home countries or communities.
For the current fellowship cycle, the program is focused on international applicants pursuing eligible STEM master’s, academic doctoral or professional doctoral programs.
This makes it particularly suitable for women interested in areas such as:
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Environmental science
- Agricultural sciences
- Food science
- Public health
- Biomedical science
- Pharmaceutical sciences
- Mathematics and related STEM disciplines
The precise eligibility of a program depends on its formal STEM classification.
How Much Is the AAUW International Fellowship?
For the 2027-28 fellowship year, AAUW provides:
- $20,000 for master’s degree study
- $25,000 for doctoral degree study
The fellowship is paid directly to the recipient in two equal installments during the fellowship period.
The money can be used for eligible educational and living expenses associated with the fellowship.
Eligible expenses can include tuition, required academic materials, housing, food and dependent care.
Because the award is a fixed amount, applicants should prepare a realistic financial plan showing their expected educational expenses, available funding and any remaining funding gap.
Is the AAUW Fellowship Fully Funded?
The AAUW International Fellowship should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship.
The $20,000 master’s award and $25,000 doctoral award can provide significant financial assistance, but the amount may not cover the complete cost of studying and living in the United States.
For example, tuition at some U.S. universities can exceed the fellowship amount before accommodation, food, insurance, transportation and other costs are considered.
Applicants should therefore look at the fellowship as substantial postgraduate funding rather than assuming that AAUW will pay every expense.
Students can also seek other sources of funding, including university scholarships, assistantships, grants and personal or family resources where permitted.
Who Is Eligible for the AAUW International Fellowship?
The fellowship has specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants must identify as women and must be non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents.
They must also be admitted to or enrolled in their first master’s degree or an academic or professional doctoral degree in an eligible STEM discipline.
For the 2027-28 cycle, applicants must begin their program on or before September 15, 2027, and complete it on or after April 30, 2028.
Applicants must also possess at least one academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Another important requirement is academic performance. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for their highest qualifying degree.
Can Nigerian Women Apply?
Yes. Nigerian women can apply for the AAUW International Fellowship if they satisfy the program’s eligibility requirements.
Nigeria is not excluded from the fellowship simply because it is an African country.
A Nigerian applicant would need to demonstrate the required academic qualifications, secure admission or enrollment in an eligible program and satisfy the fellowship’s other requirements.
AAUW also indicates that preference can be given, among equally qualified applicants, to candidates from countries that have historically had low representation among fellowship recipients.
What Degrees Are Eligible?
The current International Fellowship is intended for postgraduate STEM study.
Eligible applicants may pursue:
Master’s Degrees
The program supports students pursuing their first master’s degree in an eligible STEM field.
Applicants who already hold a master’s degree are not eligible to use the fellowship to pursue another master’s degree.
Doctoral Degrees
The fellowship also supports applicants pursuing their first doctoral degree.
Applicants who already hold a doctorate are not eligible to use the fellowship to pursue another doctoral degree.
Both academic and professional doctoral programs can qualify when they meet the program’s STEM requirements.
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
AAUW’s current eligible fields cover a broad range of STEM disciplines.
Examples include:
- Agricultural sciences
- Animal sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Food science
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Materials science
- Environmental science
- Forestry
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Meteorology
- Oceanography
- Biomedical science
- Epidemiology
- Pharmaceutical sciences
- Public health
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Other qualifying STEM disciplines
Applicants should not rely solely on the name of their course. AAUW determines eligibility according to the formal classification of the degree program.
Academic Requirements
Academic excellence is one of the major selection factors.
Applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale based on the highest qualifying degree.
If your university uses another grading system, you may need to provide documentation showing how your grades correspond to the U.S. 4.0 scale.
However, meeting the 3.5 GPA requirement does not guarantee selection.
AAUW also evaluates academic and scholarly achievements, including research, publications, presentations, awards, professional accomplishments and other evidence of excellence.
Commitment to Women and Girls
One of the most distinctive features of the AAUW International Fellowship is its focus on advancing women and girls.
Applicants need to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to improving opportunities or equity for women and girls.
This could be demonstrated through:
- Community service
- Mentoring
- Women’s education initiatives
- Advocacy
- Research
- Professional activities
- Leadership
- Gender-equity programs
- Work supporting girls’ education
- Projects benefiting women in underserved communities
The applicant should provide concrete examples rather than simply stating that they support women’s empowerment.
Career Goals and Community Impact
AAUW wants to support women who intend to use their education to create meaningful impact.
Applicants should therefore have clear long-term career objectives.
Your application should explain what you intend to accomplish after completing your degree and how your education will help you contribute to your profession, community or home country.
For example, a Nigerian woman studying engineering could explain how advanced training will help her develop infrastructure solutions, mentor young women in engineering or create opportunities for women entering technical careers.
The strongest applications connect education, career plans and measurable impact.
English Language Requirements
International applicants may need to demonstrate English proficiency.
AAUW currently accepts several English-language tests, including:
- TOEFL iBT
- TOEFL Essentials
- Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test
- IELTS
- Cambridge Assessment
- Duolingo English Test
The current minimum scores listed by AAUW include 79 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on IELTS and 120 on the Duolingo English Test.
Some applicants may qualify for an English-language exemption based on their educational background.
Applicants should review the current requirements carefully before submitting their application.
Do You Need Admission Before Applying?
Yes.
Applicants must be admitted to or currently enrolled in an eligible academic program when they apply.
This means prospective applicants should begin the university admission process early.
If you have not yet received admission to a qualifying program, you cannot simply apply for the AAUW fellowship first and wait for admission afterward.
You may list multiple eligible programs and institutions in the fellowship application, subject to AAUW’s rules.
If selected, however, you must attend one of the programs and institutions listed in your application.
AAUW International Fellowship Application Deadline
For the 2027-28 fellowship year, applications opened on August 17, 2026.
The application deadline is September 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Award notifications are scheduled for March 2027.
The first fellowship payment is expected between July and September 2027, while the second payment is scheduled for December 2027 or January 2028.
Because the deadline is relatively early, applicants should begin preparing well before September.
How to Apply for AAUW International Fellowships
The application is completed through the AAUW Fellowships and Grants application portal.
The general process includes:
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Identify an eligible STEM master’s or doctoral program.
- Apply for admission to the institution.
- Obtain proof of admission or current enrollment.
- Prepare your academic records.
- Prepare your English-language test results where required.
- Develop your fellowship narratives.
- Prepare a realistic financial plan.
- Provide evidence of your commitment to women and girls.
- Submit the completed application before the deadline.
Applicants should not wait until the final day because incomplete applications will not be considered.
What Documents Are Required?
Applicants should be prepared to submit documentation supporting their academic and professional background.
Depending on their circumstances, this can include:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Proof of admission
- Enrollment documentation
- English proficiency results
- Personal and professional information
- Fellowship essays or narratives
- Financial plan
- Evidence supporting relevant achievements
- Other documents required by AAUW
Documents issued in a language other than English require certified English translations.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
The AAUW International Fellowship is highly competitive.
Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee an award.
Applications are evaluated based on several factors, including academic excellence, the feasibility of the proposed academic plan, commitment to women and girls, long-term career objectives, expected impact and the strength of the applicant’s financial plan.
AAUW can also consider factors such as whether the applicant comes from an underrepresented country, whether the applicant is pursuing an international academic experience for the first time and whether the applicant is the first person in their immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Is the Fellowship Renewable?
No.
AAUW International Fellowships are one-time awards and are not renewable.
Applicants should therefore plan their finances carefully for the entire period of study.
If the degree lasts longer than the fellowship period, students will need to identify other funding sources for subsequent academic years.
Does AAUW Sponsor a Student Visa?
No.
AAUW does not provide visa sponsorship or visa assistance.
Successful applicants who need a U.S. student visa remain responsible for completing the appropriate immigration process.
However, the fellowship award letter can be useful as part of the student’s visa documentation.
Receiving an AAUW fellowship should therefore not be interpreted as a guarantee that a U.S. visa will be approved.
Tips for Winning an AAUW International Fellowship
Start by choosing an eligible STEM program that closely matches your academic and professional goals.
Next, build a strong academic profile and document your achievements carefully.
Your application should also demonstrate genuine commitment to women and girls. Avoid generic statements about gender equality. Instead, describe actual projects, leadership experiences, mentoring activities, research or professional work that demonstrate your commitment.
Your financial plan should also be realistic.
Explain how much your education will cost, what funding you already have, what other funding you are pursuing and what financial gap remains.
Finally, make sure your career objectives are clear. AAUW is interested in applicants who intend to use their education to create meaningful impact.
Final Thoughts
AAUW International Fellowships for Women provide a valuable opportunity for women from outside the United States who want to pursue postgraduate STEM education.
For the 2027-28 cycle, the fellowship provides $20,000 for master’s degree study and $25,000 for doctoral study. The funding can be used toward eligible educational and living expenses, but applicants should not assume that it represents a completely fully funded education.
Women from Nigeria and other countries can apply if they meet the program’s academic, citizenship, degree, STEM and other requirements.
The most competitive applicants will demonstrate more than strong grades. They will show academic excellence, a realistic study plan, commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls, clear career goals and a convincing plan for creating impact after their studies.
For women preparing for postgraduate STEM study in the United States, the AAUW International Fellowship is an opportunity worth considering, particularly if your academic and professional goals align with the program’s mission.