AAUW International Fellowship 2027 | Fully Funded STEM Fellowship for Women in the USA

The AAUW International Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded fellowship awarded by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to outstanding international women pursuing full-time graduate studies in STEM disciplines at accredited universities in the United States. One of the most respected women’s educational awards in the world, the AAUW International Fellowship 2027 provides stipends of $20,000 for Master’s degree students and $25,000 for Doctoral degree students, paid in two equal installments during the fellowship year. Open to non-US citizen women from all countries worldwide who demonstrate academic excellence, a commitment to supporting other women and girls, and a clear plan to apply their expertise in service of their home communities, the AAUW International Fellowship has been empowering international women scholars since 1917.

Applications for the AAUW International Fellowship 2027 open on August 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time and close on September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. This is a short 31-day window. Applications are submitted through the AAUW Fellowships and Grants Application Portal at aauw.org. Award notifications are sent in March 2027.

Key Highlights

Detail Description

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) was founded in 1881 and has been one of the most prominent US organizations dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The AAUW International Fellowship programme has been supporting international women pursuing graduate studies since 1917 — making it one of the oldest and most established international women’s fellowship programmes in the world.

Starting from the 2026-27 cycle, the AAUW International Fellowship focuses exclusively on STEM disciplines, reflecting AAUW’s strategic commitment to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. The fellowship prioritizes candidates who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a genuine commitment to empowering other women and girls, clear plans to apply their STEM expertise in service of their home countries, and a track record of community service and leadership.

Fellowship applications are reviewed by independent panels of distinguished STEM scholars. The selection process is holistic and competitive — evaluating the full application package including academic records, community engagement, study plans, and long-term career goals. AAUW particularly encourages applications from women hailing from countries underrepresented among previous AAUW award recipients, women pursuing their first international academic experience, women residing in their home country at the time of application, single parents, and women from single-parent households.

Benefits

• Master’s Degree Stipend of $20,000: Women pursuing their first Master’s degree in a STEM discipline at an accredited full-time US institution receive $20,000 for one academic year, paid in two equal installments. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, housing, food, and dependent care.
• Doctoral Degree Stipend of $25,000: Women pursuing their first Doctoral degree in a STEM discipline receive $25,000 for one academic year, also paid in two equal installments at the start and midpoint of the fellowship term.
• One-Time Award: AAUW International Fellowships are one-time, non-renewable awards. Fellows receive one year of stipend support only. Unsuccessful applicants from previous cycles may reapply in a future cycle.
• Flexible Use of Funds: Fellowship funds cover any eligible expense during the official fellowship term including tuition, fees, required books and supplies, housing, food, and dependent care including childcare. This flexibility is particularly valuable for women with family responsibilities.
• Award Letter for Visa Applications: AAUW provides an official award letter that successful applicants may include in their US student visa application materials.
• AAUW Global Community: Fellows join a prestigious global network of AAUW fellows, scholars, and grant recipients spanning decades and dozens of countries.

What AAUW does NOT cover: Visa sponsorship or support services. Research assistants. Publication costs. Institutional overhead. Previous loan repayments. Tuition for dependents. Tax advice. Note: AAUW withholds taxes at 14% for F/J/M/Q visa holders or 30% for other statuses. Fellowships may not be deferred — if awarded, the fellow must begin the programme by September 15, 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

• Gender: Must identify as a woman. The fellowship is open to women, including people who identify as women, in all eligible STEM fields of study.
• Citizenship: Must be a non-US citizen and must NOT hold US permanent resident status, nor be an applicant for US permanent residency. Women with dual US citizenship are not eligible. Women on nonimmigrant visas residing in the US are eligible.
• Field of Study: Must be pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a STEM discipline. AAUW provides a full list of eligible fields at aauw.org. If uncertain, check the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List or contact awards@aauw.org.
• Degree Level: Must be admitted to or enrolled in the first Master’s or first Doctoral degree. Applicants already holding a Master’s degree may not apply for the Master’s fellowship. Applicants already holding a Doctoral degree may not apply for the Doctoral fellowship.
• GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned. Strictly enforced — a GPA of 3.49 is not eligible. International transcripts must be converted using Scholaro, WES, ECE, or a NACES member service.
• English Proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, Revised TOEFL Paper 60, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge 176, or Duolingo DET 120. Native English speakers or those with a degree from an English-speaking institution may submit a written statement or transcript instead.
• Admission: Must be admitted to or enrolled in at least one accredited full-time US institution at the time of application. May list up to five programs. If awarded, must enroll in one of the listed programs or be disqualified.
• Program Dates: Program must start on or before September 15, 2027 and end on or after April 30, 2028.
• Full-Time Only: Part-time and online programs are not eligible.
• Previous AAUW Recipients: Not eligible if previously received any AAUW national fellowship or grant (excluding Community Action Grants or branch/local awards).

Timeline

Required Documents

1. Completed narrative application through the AAUW Fellowships and Grants Application Portal
2. Two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, colleagues, or others who are academically or professionally familiar with the applicant and can speak to their work, professional qualifications, and academic background. Recommenders submit their letters directly online through the application portal. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services (Parment, Interfolio). Use professional email addresses for recommenders, not personal ones.
3. Proof of all degrees earned: copies of diplomas or degree certificates with transcripts. Certified English translation required for highest earned degree if not originally in English
4. Official academic transcripts from all degree programs
5. Proof of cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above on 4.0 scale — converted using Scholaro, WES, ECE, or NACES member if institution does not use 4.0 scale
6. Proof of English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or Duolingo DET score report; OR written statement confirming English as native language; OR transcript/diploma from English-speaking institution
7. Proof of admission or enrollment: official admission letter with program start date, OR enrollment verification letter or transcript
8. GWI membership proof (only if studying outside the US and outside home country, and home country is NOT subject to US travel ban)

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare All Documents Before August 17, 2026

The application window opens August 17 and closes September 17, 2026 — only 31 days. Gather all documents now: transcripts, degree certificates, GPA conversion (if needed), English proficiency score, admission letter or enrollment verification, and your two recommenders’ professional contact details. AAUW strongly advises applying well before the closing date to avoid technical difficulties.

Step 2: Register Your Two Recommenders Early

Contact both recommenders now and confirm their availability to submit letters before September 17, 2026. Register them in the application portal as early as possible — the system sends each recommender a personalized link to submit their letter online. Your application is not complete until both letters are submitted. Use professional email addresses for recommenders, not personal ones. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services.

Step 3: Open the Portal on August 17 and Submit Your Full Application

Visit the AAUW Fellowships and Grants Application Portal at aauw.org on August 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET. Create an account or log in. Read the Application Instructions carefully. Complete the narrative application, upload all required documents, list up to five eligible programs, and submit before September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Incomplete applications are not considered.

Step 4: Await Award Notification in March 2027

After the deadline, AAUW reviews applications for completeness and eligibility, then submits complete applications to independent STEM scholar review panels. Award decisions are announced in March 2027. AAUW cannot provide earlier notifications. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in a future cycle.

Step 5: Accept Award and Begin Fellowship by September 15, 2027

If selected, you will receive an official award letter in March 2027 listing required acceptance documents and a deadline. Award status is not final until all acceptance materials are approved. Use your award letter to support your US student visa application. Begin your fellowship at your listed institution on or before September 15, 2027. First stipend installment is disbursed between July and September 2027.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official AAUW website below:

Also Check

• 📌 Fulbright Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded US Government Scholarship for International Students
• 📌 Rhodes Scholarship 2027 | Outstanding Fully Funded Postgraduate Award at Oxford University
• 📌 Chevening Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded UK Government Master’s Scholarship
• 📌 DAAD Scholarship 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded Master’s and PhD

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the AAUW International Fellowship 2027?

The AAUW International Fellowship 2027 is a prestigious fellowship awarded by the American Association of University Women to non-US citizen women pursuing full-time STEM graduate studies in the US. It provides $20,000 (Master’s) or $25,000 (Doctoral) paid in two equal installments. Applications open August 17 and close September 17, 2026. Award notifications are in March 2027. AAUW has supported international women scholars since 1917.

2. Who is eligible for the AAUW International Fellowship 2027?

You are eligible if you identify as a woman, are not a US citizen or permanent resident, are pursuing your first Master’s or Doctoral degree in a STEM field full-time at an accredited US institution, have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, meet English proficiency requirements, and are admitted to or enrolled in at least one eligible program at the time of application. Previous AAUW national fellowship or grant recipients are not eligible.

3. What STEM fields are eligible for the AAUW International Fellowship 2027?

The fellowship covers a broad range of STEM disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, all major engineering branches, mathematics, statistics, biomedical science, public health (quantitative tracks), and medical degrees (MD, DDS, PharmD, DVM, and others). Check the full STEM fields list at aauw.org or the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Contact awards@aauw.org if uncertain about your field.

4. When is the AAUW International Fellowship 2027 deadline?

Applications open August 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET and close September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. This is a 31-day window only. All deadlines follow Eastern Time. Late applications are not accepted. Submit well before the closing date to avoid technical issues. Award notifications are in March 2027.

5. Is the AAUW International Fellowship 2027 renewable?

No. AAUW International Fellowships are one-time, non-renewable awards as confirmed on the official aauw.org FAQ. Fellows receive one year of stipend support. Unsuccessful applicants from previous cycles may reapply in a future cycle.

6. Can I apply if I have not yet been admitted to a US university?

No. You must be admitted to or currently enrolled in at least one accredited US institution at the time of application. You may list up to five programs in your application. If awarded, you must enroll in one of the listed programs. Choosing a program at an institution not listed in your application results in automatic disqualification from the fellowship.

7. Can I study outside the United States with the AAUW International Fellowship 2027?

A limited number of awards are available for study outside the US in a country other than the applicant’s home country. This applies to two groups: applicants from countries on the US travel ban list who cannot obtain a US student visa; and applicants whose home country is not on the US travel ban list who are members of Graduate Women International (GWI). In both cases, the study must occur outside the applicant’s home country.

Final Thoughts

The AAUW International Fellowship 2027 is one of the most prestigious and impactful fellowships available to international women in STEM. With stipends of $20,000 (Master’s) and $25,000 (Doctoral), a 109-year track record of empowering women scholars, and a rigorous review process that recognizes academic excellence alongside genuine community commitment, an AAUW International Fellowship is a career-defining recognition. The application window opens on August 17, 2026 and closes in just 31 days on September 17, 2026. Prepare your documents now, register your recommenders immediately, and apply as soon as the portal opens at aauw.org. For questions contact awards@aauw.org.