AAUW International Fellowships: Women’s Global Educational Advancement

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships program provides crucial support for women from developing countries pursuing graduate and postgraduate education in the United States. Established in 1917, this longstanding program aims to develop women leaders who return to their home countries to address critical social challenges. Fellows receive funding ranging from $18,000 for master’s degrees to $30,000 for doctoral studies and postdoctoral research. The program emphasizes fields where women remain underrepresented globally, including STEM disciplines, economics, and public policy.

Impact Beyond Individual Achievement

The fellowship design explicitly incorporates expectations that recipients will return to their home countries to multiply the impact of their advanced education through professional roles and community engagement. Many fellows assume leadership positions in universities, research institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, influencing both policy and practice in their fields. The program maintains a special focus on women pursuing education in fields that address critical needs in their home countries, including public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Fellows frequently report that the experience transforms not only their professional trajectory but also their approach to gender equity issues in their professional environments. The AAUW provides networking opportunities connecting fellows with American female professionals in their fields, creating lasting international collaborations. Follow-up studies show that fellows often establish programs to support other women’s educational advancement in their home communities, creating intergenerational impact. The program has supported women from over 140 countries, building a global network of female leaders addressing shared challenges from diverse cultural perspectives. Statistical analysis demonstrates that fellows are significantly more likely than comparable peers to achieve senior leadership positions upon returning to their home countries.

Application Preparation and Requirements

Applicants must document their intention and commitment to return to their home countries upon program completion through detailed career plans. The selection process evaluates academic achievement alongside demonstrated leadership capacity and clear vision for applying advanced knowledge in the home country context. Competitive applications typically articulate specific societal challenges the candidate aims to address and outline concrete plans for implementing solutions. The program requires recommendation letters addressing both academic potential and leadership qualities, preferably from both academic and professional references.