Career Development Grants

Applicants must pursue an accredited certificate or training program in a field where women hold less than 50% representation in the field or in senior positions at a national, regional or local level. AAUW encourages applications from women pursuing careers in STEM, as well as other areas that show ongoing gender gaps in participation or leadership. Examples of eligible fields include but are not limited to:    

• Architecture  

• Engineering
  • Grants are available for a range of engineering disciplines, such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, geotechnical and mechanical engineering. 

• Executive Leadership or Management Training
  • Grants are available for eligible women in business, law and STEM, as well as in other fields in which women are underrepresented at leadership levels at a national, regional or local level.     

• Mathematics
  • Grants are available for a range of math disciplines, including applied mathematics, statistics and actuarial science.   

• Natural & Physical Science
  • Grants are available for a range of science disciplines, including agricultural science, biology, biomedical science, chemistry, geology, earth and environmental science, materials science, and physics.   

• Technology
  • Grants are available for a range of technological disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, computer engineering, computer science, data analytics, robotics and software development. 

• Other Underrepresented Fields
  • AAUW also welcomes applications from women pursuing certificates or training in other areas – such as finance, or emerging technical or applied trades.  

Applicants should demonstrate that women hold less than 50% representation in their field or in senior positions at a national, regional or local level.  

• Applicants must identify as a woman.
• Applicants must be:
  • Applied, accepted or enrolled in a certificate or training program in a field where women comprise less than 50% of the workforce, OR
  • Currently employed in a field where women comprise less than 50% of senior leadership positions nationally, regionally, or locally, if pursuing executive leadership or management training.
• Programs must be offered by accredited or licensed institutions and lead to professional advancement or employment in the applicant’s chosen field.
• Applicants must hold at least an Associate’s degree or higher.

Citizenship & Immigration Status      

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.     

The following are not eligible for consideration:

• Members of the AAUW Board of Directors
• Employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns and contract employees
• AAUW Review Panelists
• Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points above
• Applicants for another national AAUW fellowship or grant, in the same year
• Previous national AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards)
• Applicants who are recommended for an award, however, whose certificate, credential or training program is different than envisioned at the time of application, will be disqualified.

• The certificate or training program sought is in a field where women comprise less than 50% of the workforce.
• Applicants must demonstrate a clear and purposeful trajectory toward or within a career in a field where women are underrepresented. This may be reflected through professional experience, pursuit of skill-building opportunities, career-related goals, mentorship or leadership activities, or overcoming significant barriers in their educational or career journey. Traditional academic achievements are welcome but are not required.
• Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
• Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their certificate or training program based on sufficient time, financial resources and other support.
• Applicants whose accredited certificate or training programs directly prepare them for industry-recognized certification may receive priority consideration, depending on the strength of their application and alignment with program goals.
• Applicants pursuing a certificate or training program in a STEM field may receive priority consideration.
• Applicants who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming life challenges beyond their control, such as socioeconomic status, discrimination, limited academic resources or opportunities or other adverse circumstances (preferred).
• Applicants who hail from single parent households (preferred).
• Applicants who are parenting students (preferred).
• Applicants who were the first in their family to attain a bachelor’s degree (preferred). 

To begin your application, visit the AAUW Fellowships & Grants Application Portal to create an account or log in.

For step-by-step guidance on completing your application, refer to the Application Instructions.

In addition to a narrative application, all applicants are required to include or submit the following:

• The current percentage of women employed in the field (nationally, regionally, or locally) and the source of this statistic. Applicants must include hyperlinks or brief citations for their data sources. (Required)
• Applicants must submit a document or link confirming a program’s accreditation status and the name of the accrediting body. (Required)
• Proof of Degree (Required): Copy of all degrees and certificates earned to date from higher education institutions. 
  • Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to at least an Associate’s degree. 
  • Applicants must upload copies of all diplomas/degree certificates for programs from which they have received a degree.
  • The documents provided must correspond to the programs and institutions listed in the application and must include the applicant’s full name, the institution’s name, and the degree conferred.
  • If the original is not in English, applicants are required to submit certified translation.
  • Applicants with an equivalent of an associate’s degree (particularly if the transcript or degree certificate does not explicitly state it is an associate’s degree) must provide an official explanation from the academic institution or governing body, or obtain a credential evaluation report from services like WES or ECE that clarifies the equivalency of your qualification to an associate’s degree.
• Transcript (Required): Transcripts confirming conferral of all degrees received (Official transcripts highly encouraged)
  • Applicants must upload copies of all academic transcripts from all programs from which they have received a degree.  
  • The transcripts provided must correspond to the programs and institutions listed in the application.
  • All transcripts must include the applicant’s full name, the institution’s name, the degree conferred, and the list of courses taken, and grades received. Transcripts must also include the name of coursework and grades from transfer courses, if applicable. If transcripts reflect transfer courses without grades, a transcript from the institution where courses were taken is required.
  • If a transcript is not written in English, e a certified translation must be provided by the applicant.
  • Applicants who studied at an institution that does not provide a transcript, or a list of courses taken, and grades received, or the degree did not require coursework, must provide an institutional letter affirming the same as well as the degree completion date.\
• If applicable, a document or link to credential details for an industry-specific professional credential or licensure (e.g. LEED Accredited Professional, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification for Chemists).

Career Development Grants are awarded with the expectation that grantees will use the funds to pursue a certificate or training program in a field where women are underrepresented. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, required course materials (e.g., books and supplies), transportation assistance, dependent care, and living expenses.

Grant funds may be considered taxable income, depending on how they are used and the recipient’s individual circumstances. In many cases, funds used for purposes of non-tuition-related costs or living expenses are subject to taxation under U.S. tax law.  

It is the grantee’s responsibility to understand and fulfill any tax obligations associated with their award. AAUW does not provide tax advice, issue tax forms, or report grants to the IRS. Grantees are strongly encouraged to consult a personal tax advisor or the IRS for guidance specific to their situation.    

Applicants recommended for an award, but whose field of study or program is different than envisioned at the time of application will be disqualified.

Eligibility and Application Guidelines 

Can I apply if I am pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree?  

No. AAUW’s Career Development Grant is only for applicants who are enrolled or enrolling in a certificate or training program.

Can I apply if I am pursuing a certificate program that is not in a STEM field?  

Yes. The Career Development Grant is available to applicants pursuing a certificate or training program in any field where women are underrepresented or make up less than 50% of the workforce at a national, regional or local level.

I have applied or been admitted to several programs but have not yet decided which one to pursue. Can I list more than one program in my application?

Yes. Applicants may list up to five programs and institutions in their application. However, please note that if you are awarded a grant, you must enroll in one of the programs and institutions listed in your application. If you choose to pursue a program at an institution not included in your application, you will be disqualified from receiving the grant. 

Am I eligible for the Career Development Grant if I haven’t received an offer of admission to a specific program?

Yes. You must have applied, been admitted to, or currently be enrolled in at least one certificate or training program at the time of application.

Do I need to pursue my program full-time?

No. You may be enrolled in your program either part-time or full-time.

Do I need to be currently employed in the field?

Only applicants pursuing executive leadership or management training are required to be currently employed in their field. All other applicants are not required to have current employment in their chosen field.

Do I need to have completed an associate’s degree?

Yes. You must have completed at least an associate’s degree at the time of application.

Can my transcript serve as proof of degree?

Yes, a transcript can serve as proof of degree provided it is an official transcript and clearly states the degree conferred and date of conferral.

Award Details 

What types of expenses are considered prohibited under the Career Development Grants?

Under the Career Development Grants, certain expenses are classified as prohibited and therefore may not be covered using fellowship funds. These include:

• Purchase of research equipment
• Research assistants
• Previous expenditures, deficits, or repayment of personal debts or loans (e.g., credit card balances, student loans, or personal borrowing).
• Publication costs  Institutional (overhead) costs  Tuition for dependents’ education