AAUW Fellowships and Grants
The American Association of University Women (AAUW), a long-established nonprofit organization, administers a portfolio of fellowships and grants designed to support women's education and professional advancement. These awards fund a range of educational pursuits, including graduate study, postdoctoral research, dissertation projects, and community-based initiatives focused on gender equity and women's development. The organization has offered these opportunities for decades as part of its broader mission to advance equity for women and girls through education and advocacy.
Applicants should understand that AAUW fellowship and grant programs operate on a competitive basis. Each program maintains distinct eligibility requirements—such as citizenship status, educational background, field of study, or project focus—and selection committees evaluate applications against published criteria. Funding amounts and program structures vary across different awards. The application process is conducted directly through AAUW's official website at no cost to applicants; the organization does not charge fees to apply or to participate in the selection process.
Because fraudulent funding schemes often exploit the prestige of legitimate nonprofits, it is important for prospective applicants to recognize warning signs of scams. Any individual or organization demanding an upfront fee in exchange for guaranteed award outcomes, expedited processing, or insider access to AAUW funding is not affiliated with the legitimate nonprofit and should be avoided. Applicants interested in AAUW support should visit the organization's official channels, review program requirements carefully, and apply directly without intermediaries or advance payments.
Avoid grant scams
Legitimate grants are free to apply for. Walk away from anyone who:
- guarantees you a grant, or says you were 'selected' for money you never applied for;
- charges an upfront 'processing', 'application', or 'grant kit' fee;
- asks for your bank-account or card number to 'deposit' a grant;
- pressures you to act immediately.
Verify any program directly at its official .gov site, and report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. More on our grant-scam awareness page.
Official sources: AAUW — Fellowships & Grants. This page is educational information, not financial or legal advice; grants are competitive and never guaranteed. See our sources & how-we-work policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for aauw fellowships and grants?
Women pursuing graduate study, research, career development, or community projects; specific programs have their own eligibility, such as field or citizenship requirements..
Does aauw fellowships and grants have to be repaid?
This is fellowship / grant (not repaid). Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but they are competitive and eligibility-bound.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applying for legitimate funding is free. Anyone charging a fee to 'get you a grant' is a scam — see our scam-awareness page.
How do I apply for aauw fellowships and grants?
Apply directly through AAUW during its annual cycles; details at aauw.org.
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