Updated: September 11, 2026 | Reading time: 5 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team
The AAUW International Fellowship has changed in two significant ways recently: it’s now restricted to STEM fields only, and the postdoctoral funding tier appears to have been discontinued. If you’re a woman outside the United States pursuing a Master’s or doctorate in a STEM discipline, AAUW postdoctoral fellowship remains one of the more substantial funding opportunities available — but the September 17, 2026 deadline is close, so don’t wait to start your application.
Quick Facts
- Sponsor: American Association of University Women (AAUW), funding international fellowships since 1917
- Now Restricted To: STEM disciplines only — this is a change from the fellowship’s earlier broader, all-fields eligibility
- Award Amounts: $20,000 for Master’s or first professional degree candidates; $25,000 for doctoral candidates
- Applications Open: August 17, 2026, 9:00 AM ET
- Application Deadline: September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, for your highest completed degree
- Track Record: Since 1917, more than 3,600 women from over 150 countries have received AAUW International Fellowships
Who Qualifies
- Identify as a woman — AAUW explicitly includes women who were not assigned female at birth
- Not a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or dual citizen holding both U.S. and another citizenship
- Currently residing in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (F-1, J-1, etc.) is fine — you’re still eligible as long as you’re not a permanent resident
- Hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, completed by the application deadline
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for your highest completed degree
- Pursuing your first Master’s degree, a first professional degree, or an academic/professional doctorate (examples include D.B.A., Ed.D., J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.) — in a STEM discipline specifically
- Your program must be traditional, full-time, and classroom-based — AAUW does not fund distance learning, fully online degrees, or part-time study
- Generally not a previous recipient of an AAUW fellowship or grant, though recipients of AAUW Community Action Grants or branch/local awards are exempt from this restriction
What the AAUW international fellowship Covers
- Master’s or first professional degree candidates: $20,000 stipend
- Doctoral candidates: $25,000 stipend
- Second-year renewal: Up to five Master’s or first-professional-degree recipients in two-year programs may receive a second year of funding, based on exceptional first-year academic performance
- Funds can be used for tuition, fees, required course materials, living expenses (including housing, food, and dependent/childcare), and up to 10% of the award toward academic conference costs
- Tax note: Fellowship stipends are typically subject to a 14% or 30% U.S. tax rate, depending on your specific tax status and any applicable treaty — factor this into your budgeting
Program Timing
- Begin your program on or before September 15, 2027
- Complete your program on or after April 30, 2028
- If you’ve deferred your university admission to the 2027-28 academic year, you remain eligible, provided you submit proof of admission along with your deferral approval
- If you’re unable to return to or reside in your home country due to humanitarian or other extenuating circumstances, your application is still considered, evaluated instead on your engagement with your home country communities or the communities where you currently reside
Required Documents
- A statement of motivation and career objectives
- A current CV or academic resume
- A valid passport or national identification document
- Proof of Graduate Women International (GWI) membership
- Documentation of legal name change, if applicable
There is no application fee.
How to Apply
- Take AAUW’s official eligibility quiz first — it takes about five minutes and tells you immediately whether you qualify before you invest further time.
- Confirm your intended program is in a STEM discipline and meets the full-time, classroom-based requirement.
- Gather your documents: statement of motivation, CV, passport/ID, and GWI membership proof.
- Complete your application online through AAUW’s official portal.
- Submit before September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM ET — AAUW does not grant extensions and communicates all decisions, including waitlists and rejections, by email around April 15 of the following year. Make sure your email address is one you check regularly and that AAUW’s domain isn’t filtered into spam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AAUW International Fellowship still open to all academic fields? No. It’s now restricted to STEM disciplines specifically — this is a change from the fellowship’s earlier, broader eligibility that some other guides haven’t updated yet.
Does AAUW still fund postdoctoral research through this fellowship? Current sources indicate this tier has been discontinued — the program is now described as covering Master’s and doctoral candidates only. Confirm directly with AAUW if you’re specifically seeking postdoctoral funding.
What’s the deadline? September 17, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Applications opened August 17, 2026.
Can I use AI tools to help write my application? Yes. AAUW explicitly permits applicants to use generative AI tools to help prepare their application narratives.
Do I need to already be admitted to a program to apply? The application process includes an eligibility quiz to check your fit first; specific admission-proof requirements apply particularly around deferred admissions — confirm current requirements on AAUW’s official application page.
Is distance learning or part-time study eligible? No. AAUW does not fund distance learning, fully online degrees, or part-time programs — your program must be traditional, full-time, and classroom-based.
What GPA do I need? A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for your highest completed degree.
Official Resources
- AAUW International Fellowships (official): aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/aauw-international-fellowships/
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