American Dissertation Fellowship
AAUW’s proud tradition of funding women pursuing higher education is anchored in its American Fellowship Program — AAUW’s flagship initiative. The American Dissertation Fellowship Program, in particular, offsets scholars’ expenses during their final year of dissertation writing and deepens AAUW’s impact by accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion in academia. The program is open to women in all fields of study, though those engaged in science, technology, engineering and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply. AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The program began in 1888, at a time when women were discouraged from pursuing an education.
Award Details
American Dissertation Fellowships carry a stipend of $25,000 and are disbursed in two equal payments over the fellowship term, which runs from July 1 – June 30, annually. Stipends are made payable to fellows only.
- Applicants must be or identify as a woman.
- Applicants must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, have a prior-approved research proposal or plan and be engaged in completing the final year of their dissertation writing on a full-time basis from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
- Applicants must be completing their first doctoral degree.
- Applicants must be enrolled at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Applicants pursuing doctoral studies in science, technology, engineering, or math fields; or those researching gender issues (preferred).
- 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 hail from or intend to study in any of the following geographies: 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 cannot be working on a Master’s degree during their fellowship year
- Scholarly excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from peers, professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction
- Dissertations that are original in design and will make significant contributions to the relevant field
- Feasibility of dissertation plan and the proposed timeline
- Applicant’s teaching experience
- Financial need
Timeline
Milestone
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Date
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---|---|
Application Submission Period
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September 16, 2024 – November 15, 2024
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Fellowship Award Status Notification
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April 15, 2025
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First Stipend Disbursed
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July 2025
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Fellowship Term
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July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
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Interim Report
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December 15, 2025
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Second Stipend Disbursed
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January 2026
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Final Report
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July 31, 2026
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How To Apply
International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) serves as the application portal for AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship. Please follow the steps below to start the application process:
- Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible.
- Click the Apply Now button below to access the application and create an ISTS account.
- Follow the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide.
If you experience technical difficulties, please contact AAUW@applyists.com or (866) 795-4892.
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 the applicant’s dissertation advisor, and the second may be from an individual of the applicant’s choosing, provided they are well acquainted with the applicant, their scholarly work and their teaching. 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 graduate, credit coursework. All transcripts must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, and all graduate credit 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.
- Dissertation Certification Form: This form can be found in AAUW’s application portal and must be signed by an institutional officer to confirm completion of all required coursework, qualifying examinations and approval of your dissertation research proposal. No substitutions for this form are accepted.
A certified English translation is required for all components 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.
Review Panels
Applications to the American Dissertation Fellowship Program are reviewed by sub-panels of distinguished scholars in the following broad discipline fields:
- Arts & Humanities
- Natural & Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences
Review Process
Review panels meet once a year to review applications for funding. Awards are based on the criteria outlined here. The panel’s recommendations 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 the awards panels. AAUW does not provide written or oral evaluations of applicants. No provisions exist for reconsideration of fellowship proposals. Applications and supporting documents become the sole property of AAUW and will not be returned or held for another year.
Policies
Full-Time Requirements
American Dissertation Fellows are required to devote 100% of their working time and intellectual effort to the completion of their dissertation.
Changes to Applicants’ Institution or Areas of Study
Applicants recommended for an award, but whose discipline or institution of study is different than envisioned at the time of application will be disqualified.
Use of Funds
Fellowship awards may be used for tuition, fees and course-required expenses like books and supplies, as well as housing, food, and other living expenses (including childcare). Awarded funds may not be expended on costs incurred prior to the fellowship term start date or after the fellowship term end date.
Tax Liability
Funds received may or may not be taxable depending on how they are used. It is incumbent on award recipients to determine any tax related obligations. AAUW does not report American Fellowships to the Internal Revenue Service and cannot provide tax-related forms or advice to recipients. Specific questions regarding income tax matters should be addressed to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the applicant’s financial aid office or a personal tax advisor.
FAQs
Are fellows required to study in the U.S.?
No, Dissertation Fellows are not required to study in the U.S.
Is it possible to be notified of my award status prior to April 15th?
No, AAUW is not able to honor requests for earlier notification.