The AAUW International Fellowship 2025 is now accepting applications. This fellowship program is primarily for women who have citizenship in a country other than the United States or who have a non-immigrant visa while residing in the United States.
International Fellowships have existed since 1917. The program provides financial assistance to women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and want to return to their native country to pursue a professional career.
A limited number of awards are available for study outside of the U.S. (excluding the applicant’s home country) to women who are members of Graduate Women International (see the list of GWI affiliates). Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported.
Table of Contents
Brief description
Fellowship Sponsor(s): AAUW, USA
Host Institution(s): AAUW, USA
Fellowship Worth: $20,000 – $50,000
Number of Awards: Several
Study Level: Full-time Graduate or Postdoctoral
Nationality: International Students (Women)
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
Eligibility Criteria for the AAUW International Fellowship 2025
To be eligible for AAUW’s International Fellowship 2025, applicants are expected to meet the following conditions:
- Have citizenship in a country other than the U.S. or possession of a non-immigrant visa if residing in the U.S. Women who are currently, or expect to be during the fellowship year, a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or dual citizen with the U.S. and another country are not eligible.
- Hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by September 30, 2025.
- Intend to devote themselffull-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year.
- Intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
- Be proficient in English and confirm proficiency by submitting one of the Required Components (see below), which include certain English proficiency exams, transcripts from English-speaking institutions, or a written statement verifying English is the applicant’s native language
- International Fellowships are not open to previous recipients of any AAUW national fellowship or grant (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants).
- 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. A person holding a current award is eligible for election or appointment to boards, committees, panels,, and task forces.
- International Fellowships are open to scholars who identify as women in all fields of study at an accredited institution of higher education or, for postdoctoral fellows, research. AAUW will make final decisions about what constitutes eligible institutions.
- Unsuccessful applicants may reapply.
Award Details
International Fellowships carry a stipend of $20,000 for a master’s degree and $25,000 for a doctorate degree. Stipends are payable to fellows only and are disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the fellowship term.
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Fellowship Benefits
International Fellowship funds are available for:
- Educational expenses.
- Living expenses.
- Dependent child care.
- Travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars that does not exceed 10% of the fellowship total.
Criteria for Selection and Application Review
The panel meets once a year to review applications for funding. Awards are based on the criteria outlined here. Recommendations by the panel are subject to final approval by AAUW. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.
To ensure a fair review process, AAUW does not comment on the deliberations of its award panels. AAUW does not provide evaluations of applications. No provisions exist for the reconsideration of fellowship proposals. Applications and supporting documents become the sole property of AAUW and will neither be returned nor held for another year.
- Applicants residing in their home country at the time of application, from developing/emerging countries, or from an underrepresented group in any region will receive special consideration.
- Position on return to home country.
- Academic and/or professional qualifications.
- Demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women and girls in their their home country.
- Proposed time schedule.
- Quality and feasibility of the the proposed plan of study or research.
- Demonstrated evidence of prior community and/or civic service in home country.
- Applicant’s country’s need for specialized knowledge or skill.
- Financial need.
- Motivation for graduate study or research.
How to Apply for the AAUW International Fellowship 2025
The AAUW’s International Fellowships 2025 are applied for online. Candidates who are interested and eligible can begin the application process by clicking the Apply Now buttonto access the application and create an account on the vendor’s website.
Supporting document
- Recommendation letter
- Transcript
- Proof of English proficiency
- Minimum acceptable scores are as follows:
- TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test): 79
- TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
- Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test: 60
- IELTS: 6.5
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
