AAUW Career Development Grants 2024/2025

If you’re a woman, not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, aiming for full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the U.S, then the AAUW career development grants program is your gateway. It’s not just limited to studies within the U.S.; some awards support studies abroad, except in your home country, especially if you’re part of Graduate Women International. 

What sets you apart? Your dedication to uplifting women and girls through your work in the community, civic engagements, or professional endeavors. This isn’t just a grant; it’s a recognition of your commitment to female advancement.

If you’re interested in getting the AAUW career development grants program, then continue reading this article to get all the necessary info and how to apply before the deadline. 

AAUW Career Development Grants for Individuals

AAUW Career Development Grants are tailored for women with a bachelor’s degree aiming to shift or re-enter the workforce, particularly in fields like education, health, STEM, or social sciences. These grants prioritize women of color and those venturing into unconventional areas for their first advanced degree or credentials. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and your last degree should have been obtained before June 30, 2016. The funds cover various expenses, including tuition, books, and even dependent care.

Initially established in 1972 to motivate AAUW members to resume or refresh academic pursuits for career enhancement, these grants have evolved. Now, they support education beyond a bachelor’s degree, encompassing master’s degrees, second bachelor’s degrees, certification programs, or technical/professional training. Your coursework must be at an accredited U.S. college, university, or a technical school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. However, these grants don’t support doctorate-level studies.

You can use the grant for educational and living expenses, dependent care, and travel to professional events, capped at 10% of the grant total. But, it’s important to note what it doesn’t cover: equipment purchases, indirect costs, research assistants, previous debts, publication costs, institutional costs, or tuition for dependents.

Accepting this grant binds you to certain terms. It’s a one-time award and must be used personally, not through an institution or employer. The grant doesn’t support partial year or prerequisite courses and can’t be deferred. Courses must start after July 1, 2024, and finish by June 30, 2025.

Upon receiving the grant, you’ll sign a contract and adhere to its terms. The grant is disbursed in two equal parts at the start and mid-point of the fiscal year, subject to a satisfactory progress report. Remember, you’ll receive the stipend directly, not through any institution. Tax implications of the grant are your responsibility, and AAUW advises consulting a tax professional or the IRS for guidance.

Applications open annually on August 1 and close on November 15. The award ranges from $2,000 to $20,000. You’ll be notified by April 15, 2024, about the decision. The grant year spans from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. If deadlines fall on weekends or holidays, they’re observed on the next business day.

AAUW Scholarship Requirements

Here’s what you need to know about the requirements for the AAUW career development grants program.

These grants are specifically for women, including those who identify as women, and you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. You should already have a bachelor’s degree, earned before June 30, 2016, and you shouldn’t have a graduate or professional degree yet. The grants are for those enrolling in courses or activities necessary for professional growth.

You can use these grants for various programs like a different bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, certification programs, or technical schools. Your field of study should be in education, health and medical sciences, STEM, or social sciences. Make sure your study is at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., or a fully licensed technical school. If you’re thinking about online or distance learning, it has to be through an accredited institution listed by the U.S. Department of Education.

When you apply, you’ll need to show your commitment to your study plan. Preference is given to those already enrolled or accepted into their chosen program. Remember, you can’t use the grant for prerequisite courses, professional degrees like JD, MBA, or MD, doctoral coursework, or dissertations. And if you’re interested in master’s or professional degrees, check out the Selected Professions Fellowships too. But keep in mind, you can only apply for one AAUW award each year.

If you’ve already received an AAUW national fellowship or grant, you’re not eligible for a new AAUW career development grants program. This also applies to AAUW board members, committees, staff, and current interns.

The selection criteria are pretty straightforward. The panel looks for a demonstrated commitment to education and equity for women and girls, reasons for higher education or technical training, and how well your study plan aligns with your career objectives. They also consider your potential for success, opportunities in your field, the feasibility of your study plans, the validity of your budget, and the quality of your proposal. They give extra consideration to applicants from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, those in underrepresented areas or non-top-level research institutions, those seeking credentials in nontraditional fields, and those with financial need.

Remember, the panel meets once a year, and their decision is final. AAUW doesn’t provide feedback on applications, and they won’t reconsider proposals. Your application and documents become AAUW’s property and won’t be returned. So, make sure your application is as strong as it can be before you submit it.

How to Apply for AAUW Career Development Grants

To apply for the AAUW Career Development Grants, you’ll need to navigate to the application by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button. This will take you to our vendor’s site where you can create your account. The application consists of several sections: ‘Start’, ‘Background’, ‘Proposal’, and ‘Recommendation, Documents, & Review’.

In the ‘Recommendation’ section, a college counselor, adviser, instructor, or work supervisor who knows you well must submit your recommendation. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services like Parment or Interfolio.

For the ‘Documents’ section, you are required to upload a transcript or diploma confirming your bachelor’s degree. Ensure this document includes your full name, the name of the school, the degree awarded, and the date of the degree. If your documents are in a foreign language, a certified English translation is mandatory. This translation must be officially certified or bear an official signature confirming its accuracy and completeness.

Remember, all transcripts must detail your full name, the school’s name, all courses and grades, and any other details specified in the application instructions.

What Does the AAUW Stand For?

The American Association of University Women, now known as AAUW, began as a group for women who graduated from four-year colleges and universities. Now, it welcomes members with at least an associate degree or its equivalent. Your joining signifies a shared dedication to eradicating societal inequities and empowering women and girls. This organization has evolved to include a broader spectrum of educational achievements, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and the advancement of women’s rights in various aspects of society.

AAUW International Fellowships 2024/2025

The AAUW International Fellowships, established in 1917, offer financial support to women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They aim to support women intending to return to their home countries to pursue professional careers. A limited number of awards are also available for study outside the U.S. for members of Graduate Women International. The program supports both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions.

The fellowship amounts vary based on the level of study: $20,000 for master’s/first professional degrees, $25,000 for doctoral programs, and $50,000 for postdoctoral research. The application period typically begins on August 1, with a deadline of November 15 for online submissions, including applications, recommendations, and supporting documents. Notifications are sent by April 15, and the fellowship year spans from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.

Eligibility criteria include having earned a bachelor’s degree equivalent, proficiency in English, and a commitment to return to one’s home country after the studies. Ineligibility applies to previous AAUW national fellowship or grant recipients, AAUW board members, committees, panels, task forces, and staff.

Selection criteria emphasize the applicant’s position on returning to their home country, academic/professional qualifications, commitment to advancing women and girls in their home country, and the quality and feasibility of the proposed study or research plan. Consideration is given to applicants from developing/emerging countries or underrepresented groups.

The fellowship funds cover educational and living expenses, including dependent child care, and travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars up to 10% of the total fellowship amount. However, they do not cover equipment purchases, indirect costs, research assistants, previous expenditures, deficits, loan repayments, publication costs, institutional costs, tuition for dependents’ education, travel grants, or travel to/from the fellow’s home country or research location (if abroad).