AAUW International Fellowship 2026–27: Study in the USA
International women looking to pursue graduate-level study in the United States have a new scholarship opportunity to consider.
The AAUW International Fellowship 2026–27 application cycle officially opened on August 17, 2026, and applications will remain open until September 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
The fellowship is designed for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who plan to pursue eligible graduate studies in the United States, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
AAUW says the program supports international women with strong academic records and a demonstrated commitment to using their education, professional skills and leadership to benefit their home countries and/or communities.
What Is the AAUW International Fellowship?
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has supported international women pursuing postgraduate education in the United States for more than a century.
The International Fellowship is specifically intended for women who are international applicants and are pursuing graduate education in the United States.
The current program focuses on STEM disciplines, including fields such as:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
A limited number of awards may also be available for study in a country other than the applicant’s country of citizenship or the United States under specific circumstances.
When Does the Application Open?
The 2026–27 application cycle is currently open.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | August 17, 2026 – 9:00 AM ET |
| Application deadline | September 17, 2026 – 5:00 PM ET |
| Award notification | March 2027 |
| First stipend | July–September 2027 |
| Mid-year report | December 2027 |
| Second stipend | December 2027 / January 2028 |
| Final report | July 31, 2028 |
AAUW specifically advises applicants to start their applications early because all required materials must be submitted before the deadline.
Who Is Eligible?
The AAUW International Fellowship has specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Identify as a woman
- Be a non-U.S. citizen
- Not hold U.S. permanent resident status
- Be admitted or enrolled in their first master’s degree or an academic/professional doctorate
- Pursue an eligible STEM discipline
- Study full-time at an accredited U.S. institution
- Hold at least one academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
- Meet the required academic performance standard
For master’s applicants, AAUW requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned.
Applicants may apply for only one degree type — master’s or doctoral — and in a single specific field of study.
Can Pakistani Students Apply?
Yes, potentially.
The fellowship is designed for international applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Therefore, eligible women from Pakistan can consider applying if they meet the academic, program and other requirements.
The same principle applies to eligible applicants from countries such as:
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- And many other countries
However, applicants must independently verify that their specific degree program and circumstances satisfy AAUW’s current requirements.
What Academic Programs Are Eligible?
The current International Fellowship is focused on STEM disciplines.
Applicants can pursue either a master’s or an academic/professional doctorate, provided the program meets AAUW’s requirements.
Potential fields may include areas such as:
Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Environmental science
Technology
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Data-related fields
Engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer engineering
Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Related quantitative disciplines
Applicants should check AAUW’s official guidance carefully because eligibility depends on the specific field and degree program, rather than simply the name of a university department.
Academic Requirements
Academic performance is an important part of the application.
For master’s applicants, AAUW requires a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree earned.
For doctoral applicants, AAUW also requires a minimum 3.5 GPA for the highest academic degree earned, along with evidence of academic or scholarly excellence.
AAUW evaluates applications holistically, so academic performance is only one part of the selection process.
What Does AAUW Look For?
The fellowship is not simply based on grades.
AAUW says master’s applicants are evaluated on areas including:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership
- Commitment to applying their expertise in their home countries
- Support for women and girls
- Clarity of study plans
- Funding plans
- Long-term career objectives
- Community service
Applicants should therefore explain why their proposed education matters beyond their own career.
For doctoral applicants, AAUW also considers the strength and originality of the research proposal and its potential contribution to the academic or professional field.
Do Applicants Need to Return Home?
AAUW’s program is intended to support women who will use their education and expertise in their home countries and/or communities.
For master’s applicants, AAUW specifically considers applicants’ plans to apply their skills and leadership in their home countries where applicable.
Applicants should therefore have a clear explanation of their longer-term professional goals and how their education could contribute to their communities.
When Must the Study Program Begin?
Applicants must begin their program on or before September 15, 2027.
They must complete the program on or after April 30, 2028.
This is important because applicants should make sure their university admission timeline fits within the fellowship’s requirements.
Can You Already Be Enrolled?
Yes.
AAUW’s eligibility rules allow applicants who are admitted or enrolled in their first eligible master’s or academic/professional doctorate program, subject to the program’s other requirements.
Applicants should carefully check the official requirements regarding their current enrollment status and planned program dates.
What Expenses Can the Fellowship Support?
AAUW states that fellowship funds can be used for eligible expenses incurred during the official fellowship period.
These can include educational expenses such as:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Required course materials
- Books and supplies
They can also support living expenses, including:
- Housing
- Food
- Dependent care/childcare
AAUW notes that fellowship stipends may be subject to applicable U.S. tax withholding depending on the recipient’s circumstances.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
The International Fellowship is a competitive award.
Applications are first reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Eligible applications are then evaluated by independent review panels made up of scholars and experts in STEM fields.
AAUW also considers factors beyond academic grades, including leadership, community involvement, study plans and the applicant’s intended impact.
Therefore, meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee an award.
How to Apply for the AAUW International Fellowship
Applicants should begin by reviewing the official eligibility requirements.
Step 1: Check eligibility
Confirm that you meet the citizenship, academic, STEM and degree requirements.
Step 2: Identify your graduate program
Make sure your intended program is eligible and that you can study full-time at an accredited U.S. institution.
Step 3: Prepare your application materials
Prepare your academic information, study plans and supporting documents well in advance.
Step 4: Create an application account
AAUW provides an online Fellowships & Grants Application Portal for applicants.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline
The application deadline is:
September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Important Advice for Applicants
Because the deadline is relatively close, applicants should not wait until the final week.
A strong application should clearly explain:
Your academic goal
What do you want to study and why?
Your career plan
How will the degree help your long-term career?
Your impact
How will you use your education to benefit your home country or community?
Your leadership
What evidence demonstrates your leadership and commitment to supporting women and girls?
Your funding situation
AAUW asks applicants to demonstrate confirmed or pending financial support and explain their remaining funding gap.
AAUW International Fellowship 2026–27: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | AAUW International Fellowship |
| Cycle | 2026–27 |
| Country | United States |
| Applicant group | International women |
| Citizenship | Non-U.S. citizens |
| Permanent residents | Not eligible |
| Study level | First master’s or academic/professional doctorate |
| Main field | STEM |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Minimum GPA | 3.5/4.0 |
| Applications opened | August 17, 2026 |
| Deadline | September 17, 2026 |
| Deadline time | 5:00 PM ET |
| Award notification | March 2027 |
| Program start | By September 15, 2027 |
All eligibility and timeline details should be confirmed against AAUW’s official program page before applying.
Final Thoughts
The AAUW International Fellowship 2026–27 is a particularly timely opportunity because the new application cycle has just opened.
International women who are planning graduate study in STEM in the United States should review the requirements now rather than waiting until September.
The application deadline is September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, giving applicants only a limited period to prepare their materials.
The fellowship is competitive, but students who combine strong academic records with clear career plans, leadership experience and a commitment to creating positive impact should consider applying.
If you are an international woman planning a STEM master’s or doctoral degree in the USA, this is a scholarship worth checking now.
🔗 Official Links
AAUW International Fellowship — Official Program Page
AAUW International Fellowships
Application Portal
AAUW directs applicants to its official Fellowships & Grants Application Portal to create an account and begin the application.
Important: I would use August 17, 2026 in the headline or opening paragraph because this makes the article genuinely newsworthy rather than another generic scholarship page: “AAUW International Fellowship 2026–27 Opens for International Women in STEM.”