Career Development Grants

Career Development Grants are available to pursue degree and non-degree programs in education, health and medicine, STEM and social sciences, except for the following degree programs:

• Architecture (M.Arch.)
• Computer/Information Science (MS)
• Engineering (ME, MS)
• Mathematics/Statistics (MS)
• Business Administration (MBA)
• Law (JD)
• Medicine (MD, DO)

Applicants interested in pursuing these degree programs are encouraged to consider AAUW’s Selected Professions Fellowships.   

• Applicants must be or identify as a woman.
• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree earned on or before June 30, 2017.
• Applicants must be pursuing a degree (such as a second bachelor’s or first master’s degree) or a non-degree program (such as a certification program or specialized training) in education, health and medicine, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and social sciences.
• Applicants must pursue their study in the U.S. at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Applicants pursuing degree programs must be enrolled in their programs during the entire grant year.
• Applicants pursuing a second bachelor’s degree must enroll in a program that differs from the field of study in which they previously earned a bachelor’s or associate degree.
• Applicants pursuing non-degree programs such as a certification program or specialized training must be enrolled in their programs for at least six months during the grant year.

• Applicants who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming life challenges beyond their control, such as socioeconomic status, discrimination, limited academic resources or opportunities or other adverse circumstances (preferred).  

• Applicants who were the first in their family to attain a bachelor’s degree (preferred). 

• Applicants who hail from single parent households (preferred). 

• Applicants who reside or will matriculate at a school in Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee or Indiana (preferred). 

Citizenship & Immigration Status

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

The following are not eligible for consideration:

• Members of the AAUW Board of Directors.
• Employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns and contract employees.
• AAUW Review Panelists.
• Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points above.
• Applicants for another national AAUW fellowship or grant, in the same year.
• Previous national AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards).
• Applicants who are recommended for an award, however, whose discipline or institution of study is different than envisioned at the time of application will be disqualified.

• Academic excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction.
• Potential to make contribution to chosen field as a practicing professional and role model for other girls and women.
• Demonstrated commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
• Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their program of study based on sufficient, holistic financial support.
• Special consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate their intent to professionally serve under resourced populations and communities or to pursue public interest areas.

International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) serves as the application portal for AAUW Career Development Grants. Please follow the steps below to start the application process:

1. Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible.
2. Click the Apply Now button below to access the application and create an ISTS account.
3. Follow the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide.

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact AAUW@applyists.com or (866) 795-4892.

Apply Now

In addition to a narrative application, all applicants are required to submit the following:

• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, colleagues or others well acquainted with the applicant, their work, professional qualifications and academic background.

Note: AAUW does not accept references from dossier services, such as Parment or Interfolio, and standardized or form-letter recommendations are discouraged.

• Proof of Degree: Copy of bachelor’s degree earned on or before June 30, 2017.
• Transcripts: Copy of official transcripts confirming conferral of bachelor’s degree. All transcripts must include the applicants’ full name, the school’s name, the degree conferred, and the list of courses taken, and grades received. Transcripts must also include the name of coursework and grades from transfer courses, if applicable. If transcripts reflect transfer courses without grades, a transcript from the institution where courses were taken is required. Applicants who studied at an institution that does not provide a transcript or a list of courses taken, and grades received, or the degree did not require coursework, must provide an institutional letter affirming the same as well as the degree completion date.

A certified English translation is required for all materials provided in a foreign language. Translations must bear a mark of certification or official signature that the translation is true and complete.

If the name differs from the one stated in the application, an explanation must be provided, such as a marriage certificate or a court letter of name change.

Applicants are responsible for the submission of all required documents. Incomplete applications will be reviewed and considered at the discretion of AAUW.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.

Review Panels

Applications to the Career Development Grants are reviewed by panels of distinguished scholars and experts in the following disciplines:

• Education
• Health & Medicine
• Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
• Social Sciences

Review panels meet once a year to review applications for funding. Panel funding recommendations are subject to final approval by AAUW.

Review Process

Prior to the Career Development Grant Panel Review, AAUW’s Fellowships & Grants Team reviews applications for completeness and ensures compliance with eligibility requirements.

Each application is subsequently read by two panel reviewers. Reviewers assess applications based on the selection criteria described above.