Selected Professions Fellowship Program

Selected Professions Fellowships are available 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 must be or identify as a woman.
• Applicants must be enrolled on a full-time basis at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Applicants enrolled in a joint-degree program may apply for support if they plan to pursue full-time coursework during the entire fellowship year in one of the approved degree programs below. Coursework in other fields, even if part of a joint-degree program, is not supported.
• Applicants must not already hold a master’s or professional degree.
• 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 or lead single parent households (preferred).
• Applicants who reside or will matriculate at a graduate 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
• 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 peers, 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
• Previous, demonstrated commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions
• Financial need
• 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 International Project 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. If a program key is requested, please use the following program key: AAUW-SPF
3. Follow the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide.

For any inquiries related to the application process or if you encounter technical issues, please contact AAUW@applyists.com or call (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. One must be from a professor under whom they have studied and the second may be from an individual of the applicant’s choosing, provided they are well acquainted with the applicant and their academics and/or professional work.  

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

• Transcripts: Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. All transcripts must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, and all credited coursework and grades. 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 require coursework or provide transcripts must provide an institutional letter affirming the same.
• Design Projects (Architecture Students Only): 10-12 reproductions of applicant’s design projects, no larger than 8 X 10” in size, demonstrating applicant’s range of architectural design work. Applicants should ensure their name appears on all samples.

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.

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

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

Review Panels  

Applications to the Selected Professions Fellowship Program are reviewed by panels of distinguished scholars and practitioners. Panel funding recommendations are subject to final approval by AAUW.