AAUW International Fellowship 2027–2028 in USA – Up to $25,000 Funding for Women

 

The AAUW International Fellowship 2027–2028 offers an excellent opportunity for women from outside the United States who are seeking to pursue graduate-level studies in the United States.

The fellowship is provided by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and is designed to support international women pursuing their first master's or doctoral degree in eligible STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.

For the 2027–2028 award cycle, successful master's students can receive $20,000, while doctoral students can receive $25,000. The fellowship supports women with strong academic records who demonstrate a commitment to using their education, professional skills and leadership to benefit women, girls and their communities.

Applications for the 2027–2028 cycle opened on 17 August 2026, and the deadline is 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant for international women who are already admitted to, or enrolled in, an eligible graduate programme in the United States.

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AAUW International Fellowship 2027–2028 Overview

• Scholarship/Fellowship: AAUW International Fellowship
• Award Year: 2027–2028
• Host Country: United States
• Host Organization: American Association of University Women (AAUW)
• Study Level: Master's and Doctoral
• Study Area: Eligible STEM disciplines
• Master's Award: $20,000
• Doctoral Award: $25,000
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Eligible Applicants: International women
• Application Opens: 17 August 2026
• Application Deadline: 17 September 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Award Notification: March 2027
• Study Start: By 15 September 2027

What Is the AAUW International Fellowship?

The AAUW International Fellowship is a long-running programme supporting international women pursuing advanced education.

The programme has supported international women studying in the United States since 1917 and is focused on education, equity and women's empowerment.

For the current fellowship cycle, AAUW is specifically investing in international applicants who intend to pursue graduate studies in STEM disciplines.

The programme is designed not only around academic achievement but also around the applicant's potential to use her education and leadership to contribute to her home country or the community where she lives.

This makes the fellowship particularly attractive to women who have demonstrated leadership, community involvement, research achievements or professional contributions.

How Much Does the Fellowship Provide?

The AAUW International Fellowship provides two main award levels.

Master's Degree – $20,000

Women pursuing their first master's degree in an eligible STEM discipline may receive a fellowship award of $20,000.

Doctoral Degree – $25,000

Women pursuing their first academic or professional doctorate may receive $25,000.

AAUW states that the stipends are paid directly to fellows in two equal payments, with one payment made at the beginning and another at the midpoint of the fellowship term.

Applicants should understand that the award is a fellowship stipend rather than a guarantee that every university expense will be fully covered.

Recipients remain responsible for managing their fellowship funds and meeting any applicable educational, living and immigration-related expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

The fellowship has specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants must identify as women and must be non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents.

Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in their first master's or an academic/professional doctoral degree at the time of application.

The degree must be in an eligible STEM discipline.

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, based on their highest degree earned.

Candidates should therefore carefully review their academic records before beginning an application.

STEM Fields Covered

The programme is focused on STEM education.

Eligible fields can include areas such as:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Biological Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Data-related STEM disciplines
• Other eligible STEM programmes

Applicants should verify their exact degree classification against AAUW's current requirements.

If a programme is not clearly identified as STEM, applicants may need to consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List, which AAUW uses when determining STEM eligibility.

Study Requirements

Recipients must pursue their studies full-time at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants must also be able to begin their programme by 15 September 2027 and complete it no earlier than 30 April 2028, where applicable.

The fellowship is therefore not intended for applicants pursuing short courses, part-time programmes or informal training.

Applicants should ensure that their university programme satisfies AAUW's specific requirements before submitting an application.

English Language Requirement

International applicants may need to demonstrate English proficiency.

AAUW accepts several English-language tests, including:

• TOEFL iBT
• TOEFL Essentials
• IELTS
• Cambridge Assessment
• Duolingo English Test

For example, AAUW currently lists minimum scores including 79 for TOEFL iBT, 6.5 for IELTS and 120 for the Duolingo English Test.

Some applicants may qualify for an exemption by providing evidence that their native language is English or that their qualifying education was completed in an English-speaking institution under AAUW's specified conditions.

Applicants should carefully review the official language requirements before applying.

What Makes a Strong Applicant?

AAUW evaluates applicants competitively.

Academic excellence is one of the major considerations.

Applicants should demonstrate their academic achievements through evidence such as:

• Strong GPA
• Academic awards
• Research
• Publications
• Presentations
• Professional achievements
• Academic recognition

However, academic performance is not the only important factor.

The fellowship is designed for women who can demonstrate leadership and a commitment to empowering women and girls.

Applicants should therefore explain how their education and professional goals will contribute to positive change.

Leadership and Community Impact

A strong application should clearly demonstrate the applicant's impact beyond the classroom.

For example, applicants can highlight:

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• Community projects
• Mentoring programmes
• Women's empowerment initiatives
• Leadership positions
• Research addressing social problems
• Professional projects
• Volunteer activities
• Advocacy
• Initiatives supporting girls' education

The key is to demonstrate specific impact.

Instead of simply stating that you are passionate about women's empowerment, explain what you have actually done, who benefited and what results were achieved.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare their materials well before the deadline.

The application process requires a narrative application and supporting documentation.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, required materials can include:

• Academic transcripts
• Proof of admission or enrollment
• English-language test results or exemption documentation
• Academic information
• Personal and professional information
• Fellowship application narratives

Applicants should also ensure that their admission status meets the programme requirements.

If you have already been admitted to a qualifying programme, your official admission documentation should clearly show the programme and anticipated start date.

How to Apply for the AAUW International Fellowship

The application is completed online through AAUW's official Fellowships & Grants Application Portal.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Make sure you identify as a woman, are a non-U.S. citizen or non-U.S. permanent resident, meet the GPA requirement and are pursuing your first qualifying graduate degree.

Step 2: Confirm Your STEM Programme

Verify that your intended master's or doctoral programme qualifies under AAUW's STEM requirements.

Step 3: Secure Admission

Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in an eligible programme at the time of application.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Collect transcripts, admission documents, English-language evidence and other required materials.

Step 5: Prepare Your Fellowship Narrative

Explain your academic achievements, career goals, research interests and commitment to using your expertise for the benefit of women, girls and your community.

Step 6: Submit Online

Complete the application through the official AAUW portal before the deadline.

AAUW strongly recommends starting the application well before the closing date.

Application Deadline

The official deadline for the AAUW International Fellowship 2027–2028 is:

17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Applications opened on 17 August 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Applicants should not wait until the final hours to submit their applications because missing documentation or technical problems could prevent a successful submission.

AAUW expects to announce fellowship awards in March 2027.

Important Information for Nigerian and African Applicants

The AAUW International Fellowship is potentially relevant to women from many countries around the world because the programme is designed for international applicants.

However, applicants should not confuse nationality eligibility with programme eligibility.

Being from an African country does not automatically guarantee selection.

Applicants must satisfy the academic, STEM, immigration, degree and other requirements.

Women from countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions may also have different options under the programme's current rules. AAUW provides specific guidance for applicants who cannot secure a U.S. student visa because of applicable travel restrictions.

Therefore, African applicants should carefully review their individual circumstances rather than relying on general claims that the fellowship is open to all African students.

Tax Considerations

Applicants should also understand that fellowship funds can have tax implications.

AAUW explains that, in many circumstances, fellowship stipends for foreign persons conducting their fellowship year in the United States may be subject to U.S. tax withholding.

The withholding rate can depend on immigration status and applicable tax treaties.

Applicants should therefore not assume that the full $20,000 or $25,000 award will necessarily be received without deductions.

AAUW recommends that fellows seek professional tax advice for their individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the AAUW International Fellowship?

Master's recipients receive $20,000, while doctoral recipients receive $25,000.

Who can apply?

The programme is designed for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who are pursuing their first qualifying graduate degree in an eligible STEM discipline.

Can I apply for a bachelor's degree?

No. The current International Fellowship is for qualifying master's and doctoral-level study.

Is the fellowship fully funded?

The fellowship provides a substantial stipend, but applicants should not assume that every cost is separately covered. The stipend is paid directly to the fellow and must be managed to meet eligible expenses.

What is the minimum GPA?

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for their highest degree earned.

Can I apply if I am already studying in the United States?

Eligible applicants may be admitted or enrolled in their first qualifying degree, subject to AAUW's other requirements.

When is the deadline?

The deadline is 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

When will results be announced?

AAUW expects to notify applicants of awards in March 2027.

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Official Application Link

Eligible applicants should apply through the official AAUW platform rather than third-party scholarship websites.

Apply here: 

AAUW's official page provides the eligibility requirements, application instructions, timeline and link to the Fellowships & Grants Application Portal.

Conclusion

The AAUW International Fellowship 2027–2028 is a valuable opportunity for academically strong international women seeking graduate-level STEM education.

With awards of $20,000 for master's students and $25,000 for doctoral students, the programme can provide meaningful financial support while helping talented women advance their education and professional careers.

However, applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying. The current programme is focused on eligible STEM master's and doctoral programmes, requires a minimum 3.5 GPA, and is intended for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The application deadline is 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, so prospective applicants should begin preparing their materials as early as possible.

A competitive application should go beyond academic qualifications. Applicants should clearly communicate their career ambitions, academic achievements, leadership experience and commitment to using their knowledge to create positive change for women, girls and their communities.

For qualified international women pursuing STEM graduate education, the AAUW International Fellowship could be an important step toward achieving their academic and professional goals.

Start your application early, carefully follow the official requirements and submit before the deadline.

Good luck with your application!