AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship Program

The AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships support women pursuing their first full-time master’s or professional degree in fields with historically low female participation, particularly in STEM disciplines, at accredited U.S. institutions.

🏛️ About the Fellowship Program

The fellowship is available for master’s and professional degree programs in the following disciplines:

• Architecture
• Natural and Physical Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Medicine

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: June 20, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Category: Women
• Opportunity Location: United States
• Eligible Locations: United States

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship Program

• Stipend: $20,000
  • Stipends are payable to fellows only and disbursed in two equal payments:
    • At the beginning of the fellowship term
    • At the midpoint of the fellowship term

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Identify as a woman.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Pursue a full-time program at an institution:
  • Accredited in the United States, or
  • Recognized as eligible to participate in U.S. federal student aid programs (as listed on the Federal Student Aid Participating Schools list).
• Hold an academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• Apply for a fellowship in a specific discipline (e.g., Architecture, Natural and Physical Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medicine).
• Must not already hold a master’s or professional degree.
• Begin their program on or before September 1, 2026, and complete it on or after April 30, 2027.

Not Eligible for Consideration:

• Members of the AAUW Board of Directors
• Employees of AAUW (including paid/unpaid, part-time, or temporary employees, consultants, interns, and contract employees)
• Review panelists
• Immediate family members of individuals described 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/local AAUW awards)

🌟 Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

• Academic excellence: Demonstrated through academic records, achievements, and recognition from peers or institutions.
• Career goals: Well-defined goals in a STEM field with demonstrated passion and commitment.
• Commitment to STEM: Active participation in STEM-related extracurricular activities and potential to contribute to societal advancement in STEM.
• Support for women and girls: Demonstrated service in communities or professions.
• Special consideration:
  • Intent to serve under-resourced populations or pursue public interest areas.
  • Resilience in overcoming life challenges (e.g., socioeconomic status, discrimination, limited academic resources).
  • First-generation college graduates (preferred).
  • Applicants from single-parent households (preferred).

📅 Application Date and Process

Key Dates:

• Application Submission Period: August 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025
• Fellowship Award Status Notification: April 15, 2026
• First Stipend Disbursed: July 2026
• Fellowship Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
• Interim Report: December 15, 2026
• Second Stipend Disbursed: January 2027
• Final Report: July 31, 2027

Required Documents:

1. Letters of Recommendation:

   • Two letters from advisors, professors, or colleagues familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications.
   • Professional email addresses for recommenders are required.
   • Applicants must ensure recommendations are submitted before the deadline.

2. Proof of Degree:

   • Copies of all degrees earned to date.
   • Certified translations required for documents not in English.

3. Transcripts:

   • Official transcripts confirming conferral of all degrees received.
   • Certified translations required for non-English transcripts.

4. Design Projects (Architecture Students Only):

   • 4–6 reproductions of design projects (no larger than 8 x 10 inches), demonstrating the applicant’s range of architectural work.

📧 Contact Information

For immediate questions or concerns, contact the AAUW team at awards@aauw.org.

🗓️ Application Deadline

September 30, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

View details and apply for the AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship Program here.

• Selected Professionals Fellowships carry a stipend of $20,000, payable in two equal payments at the beginning and midpoint of the fellowship term.