AAUW Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences.
Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.
Today, grants support course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program, or specialized training in technical or professional fields.
Coursework must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for doctorate-level work.
About American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls.
Since our founding in 1881, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.
Benefits of AAUW Career Development Grants
Requirements for AAUW Career Development Grants
- 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.
The 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.
- August 1, 2023: Application opens.
- November 15, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time: Deadline for online submission of application and supporting documents.
- April 15, 2024: Notification of decisions emailed to applicants. AAUW is not able to honor requests for earlier notification.
- July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025: Grant year
Documents Required for Application
- Start
- Background
- Proposal
- Recommendation, Documents, & Review
- Recommendation
- Your recommendation must be submitted by a college counselor or adviser, an instructor or a work supervisor who knows you well. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services, such as Parment or Interfolio.
- Documents
- Applicants must upload transcript or diploma that shows bachelor’s degree. Document must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, the degree name, and the degree date.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
visit AAUW website For more details.