Scholarships for Aspiring Leaders in STEM

Empowering Women in Graduate and Postgraduate STEM Studies

In a world where equitable access to advanced education remains a challenge, especially for women, scholarships dedicated to supporting female scholars are more important than ever. For women pursuing graduate or postgraduate degrees, these scholarships are more than financial support; they are gateways to meaningful careers, platforms for innovation, and opportunities to make a lasting impact. Each of these programs offers not just funding but also fosters leadership, community involvement, and academic excellence. From supporting groundbreaking research in STEM fields to advancing social sciences and healthcare, these scholarships empower women to overcome barriers, break new ground, and inspire the next generation. Aspiring applicants will find that these grants are designed not only to fuel academic journeys but also to elevate women’s contributions across diverse professional landscapes, promoting gender equality and impactful social change.

Faculty for the Future grants

Deadline

Nov 08 2024

Amount

$50,000

Location

National

Graduate Level

Graduate, Postgraduate

Description

Candidates should have applied to, have been admitted to, or be currently enrolled in a university abroad when submitting their grant application. Candidates must hold an excellent academic record, demonstrate leadership skills, community outreach activities and have a track record in encouraging girls and women into STEM fields. Candidates should also prove their commitment to return to their home countries upon completion of their studies to contribute to the economic, social and technological advancement of their home regions by strengthening the STEM teaching and research faculties of their home institutions as well as through their leadership in science-based entrepreneurship. They are also expected to contribute to the public sector where their newly acquired technical and scientific skills can help provide evidence-based support for STEM policy making, including topics of gender representation.

Application Criteria

– are a female and are a citizen of a developing country or emerging economy where women are underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. You are not eligible to apply if you hold dual citizenship of which one is citizenship of a developed country. (N.B. If you have been awarded a Faculty for the Future grant and after the award you obtain citizenship of a developed country, the grant will be discontinued as of the date of such additional citizenship);

– are preparing for a PhD degree or post-doctoral research in a STEM discipline. The Faculty for the Future program does not fund Master level studies;

– are enrolled, admitted or have applied to a host university/research institute abroad (applications are no longer accepted where a candidate has not yet applied to a university). If you are applying for a sandwich course the final degree must be awarded by the Host University abroad or jointly (i.e., but not solely from the home country university);

– hold an excellent academic record;

– are willing to go back to your home country or region upon completion of your studies to contribute to its socio-economic development;

– have a proven record of teaching experience in your home country and can demonstrate your commitment to going back home to:

1. i) an academic or research position in a STEM faculty;
2. ii) and/or to using your knowledge to become a STEM entrepreneur to help resolve regional challenges in your local community/region;

iii) and/or to demonstrating leadership by contributing to the public sector using your scientific skills to help provide evidence

-based support for STEM policy making, including topics of gender representation; – can demonstrate leadership skills, active community outreach and have a track record in encouraging girls and women into STEM.

AAUW American Fellowship

Deadline

Nov 15 2024

Amount

$50,000

Location

National

Graduate Level

Graduate, Postgraduate

Description

The American Fellowship program began in 1888, a time when women were discouraged from pursuing an education. It is AAUW’s largest fellowship program and the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. AAUW American Fellowships support women scholars who are pursuing full-time study to complete dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research full time, or preparing research for publication for eight consecutive weeks. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Candidates are evaluated based on scholarly excellence; quality and originality of project design; and active commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities, professions, or fields of research.

Application Criteria

Applicant’s scholarly excellence. Quality of project design. Originality of project. Scholarly significance of project to the discipline. Feasibility of project and proposed schedule. Qualifications of applicant. Applicant’s commitment to women’s issues in the profession/community. Applicant’s mentoring of other women. Applicant’s teaching experience. Potential of applicant to make a significant contribution to the field. Applicant is from an underrepresented racial/ethnic background. Applicant will be in an underrepresented area of the country and/or type of university other than a top-level research institution during the award year. Financial need.

AAUW Research Publication Grants in Engineering, Medicine and Science

Deadline

Nov 15 2024

Amount

$35,000

Location

National

Graduate Level

Graduate, Postgraduate

Description

Having a strong publication record is a key to receiving promotions and tenure in engineering, medicine and science. Yet persistent gender stereotypes and bias in these fields can make it difficult for women to find the time and institutional support needed to publish their research. These grants help women overcome these barriers by funding research projects that will culminate in scholarly publications. They are open to women scholars conducting basic research in engineering, medicine or the physical or biological sciences and who have a doctorate degree in one of those fields. The grantee must publish their research in a scholarly publication and be listed as a primary author.

Application Criteria

Applicant’s scholarly excellence. Quality of project design. Originality of project. Scholarly significance of project to the discipline. Feasibility of project and proposed schedule. Likelihood the project will culminate in being accepted to a scholarly scientific publication within six months of the end of the grant year. Qualifications of applicant. Demonstrated commitment to women’s issues in the profession/community. Applicant’s mentoring of other women. Applicant’s teaching experience. Potential of applicant to make a significant contribution to the field. Applicant is from an underrepresented racial/ethnic background. Applicant will be in an underrepresented area of the country and/or type of university other than a top-level research institution during the award year. Financial need.

AAUW Career Development Grant

Deadline

Nov 15 2024

Amount

$20,000

Location

National

Graduate Level

Graduate

Description

Eligibility Career Development Grants are open to women, including people who identify as women, who: are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. hold an earned (not honorary) bachelor’s degree. received their bachelor’s degree on or before June 30, 2016. do not hold an earned (not honorary) graduate or professional degree. plan to enroll or are enrolled in courses/activities that are required for professional employment or advancement. plan to enroll or are enrolled in one of the following program types: Bachelor’s degree program that is different from the field of study of the previously earned bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree program. Certification program. Technical school. Plan to enroll or are enrolled in one of the following fields of study: Education. Health and Medical Sciences. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Social Sciences. All courses of study must occur at a regionally accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed and/or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants must reside within the United States during the grant period. Distance or online learning programs will be funded only if they are conducted through an accredited institution appearing on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of approved online/distance learning programs. Final decisions about what constitutes distance learning under these grants will be made by AAUW. Applicants are required to indicate their matriculation status within the application. While applicants are not required to already be enrolled or accepted into their preferred institution of study in order to apply, preference is given to those who are able to demonstrate strong commitment or intent in following the proposed plan of study. Awardees must be able to show proof of admission when submitting their acceptance materials. Career Development Grant funding is not available for the programs below: Prerequisite coursework. Professional degree in law (JD), business (MBA) or medicine (MD, DO). Doctoral coursework or dissertations.

Application Criteria

The following criteria apply to the selection of Career Development Grants: Demonstrated commitment to education and equity for women and girls. Reason for seeking higher education or technical training. Degree to which study plan is consistent with career objectives. Potential for success in chosen field. Documentation of opportunities in chosen field. Feasibility of study plans and proposed time schedule. Validity of proposed budget and budget narrative, including sufficient outside support. Quality of written proposal. Applicant is from an underrepresented racial/ethnic background. Applicant will be in an underrepresented area of the country and/or type of university other than a top-level research institution during the award year. Applicant is seeking credentials in a nontraditional field. Financial need.

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship

Deadline

Nov 15 2024

Amount

$10,000

Location

National

Graduate Level

Postgraduate

Description

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. The $10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-applied sciences or aerospace-applied engineering. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.

Application Criteria

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying area of science or engineering closely related to advanced studies in aerospace-related science or aerospace-related engineering and demonstrate a superior academic record with evidence of potential at a recognized university or college as verified by transcripts, recommendations and acceptance or verification by an institution of higher education with accredited courses in aerospace-related studies. Applicants must also provide evidence of a well-defined research program in aerospace-related science or aerospace-related engineering as described in the application essay, research and publications. Clearly demonstrate the relationship of your research to aerospace and furnish verification of your research program through at least one of the referees providing the recommendation required with the application.