Career Development Grants

Applicants must pursue an accredited certificate, credential or training program with a minimum of 400 instructional hours, in a high-growth STEM field, where women are underrepresented. This includes areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that show strong labor market demand and ongoing gender disparities 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. 
• 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.

This list is illustrative, and not exhaustive. Applicants are welcome to propose other STEM fields or specializations if they can demonstrate that the field has significant, projected growth potential (5% or higher) over the next 8-10 years based on workforce or industry data and women are currently underrepresented in the field or specific occupational area (less than 50% representation). Executive leadership or management training programs are also eligible, provided that applicants are currently employed in a high-growth STEM field, as defined here.

• Applicants must identify as a woman.
• Applicants must be:
  • Accepted or enrolled in a certificate, credential or training program in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce; OR
  • Currently employed in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce, if pursuing executive leadership or management training.
• Certificate, credential, or training programs must include a minimum of 400 instructional hours.
• 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 a bachelor’s degree.
• Applicants whose accredited certificate, credential 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.

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, credential or training program sought is in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce.
• Applicants must demonstrate a clear and purposeful trajectory toward or within a career in a high-growth STEM 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.
• Applicant demonstrates a commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
• Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their certificate, credential, or training program based on sufficient time, financial resources, and other support.
• 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). 

AAUW is currently transitioning to a new awards management system to better serve our applicants.  At this time, instructions for applying are not yet available.   

What You Can Do Now  

While the application portal is not yet open, here’s how you can prepare:  

1. Stay Informed  

We recommend regularly checking the AAUW Fellowships & Grants page for updates.   

2. Review Program Information  

In the meantime, review AAUW’s program eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and previous awardees. This will help you prepare a strong application when the time comes.  

3. Prepare Materials in Advance  

Review the Application Requirements Section for supplemental documentation that is required for submission along with your application.   

4. Contact Us with Questions  

If you have immediate questions or concerns, please contact our team at awards@aauw.org.  

We are committed to delivering a fair, accessible, and streamlined process. Our new awards system is part of this commitment. While we finalize setup and instructions, we appreciate your patience and understanding.  

Information Coming Soon

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

• The projected growth percentage for applicants’ chosen field and the source of this projection (e.g. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET Online, state labor market agency). Note either national or state data is acceptable. For example, if a specific field is comprised of 50% women nationally but there is a majority of men regionally, (e.g., in tech hubs), local data is justified. Applicants must include hyperlinks or brief citations for their data sources.
• The current percentage of women employed in the field (nationally or regionally) and the source of this statistic. Applicants must include hyperlinks or brief citations for their data sources.
• Applicants must submit a document or link confirming a program’s accreditation status and the name of the accrediting body.
• Applicants must submit a document or link confirming a program includes a minimum of 400 instructional hours.   

Applicants are responsible for the submission of all required documents. Incomplete applications will be reviewed and considered at the discretion of AAUW.  

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

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, credential, or training program.  

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

No. The Career Development Grant is only available to applicants pursuing a certificate, credential, or training program in designated STEM-related fields. 

What is a high-growth STEM field? 

A high-growth STEM field refers to a field within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with projected occupational growth of 5% or more over the next 8-10 years.  

I have 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 fellowship, 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 fellowship. 

I am pursuing a certificate/credential program that is under 400 hours. Can I still apply?  

No. Applicants must be admitted or enrolled in an accredited certificate, credential, or training program with a minimum of 400 instructional hours 

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

You must be admitted to or currently enrolled in at least one certificate, credential, 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 a STEM field? 

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

Do I need to have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree? 

Yes. Applicants must have previously completed a bachelor’s degree. 

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: 

• Living expenses (with exceptions for dependent care and transportation costs, if applicable)
• Previous expenditures, deficits or repayment of personal loans 
• Institutional (overhead) costs 
• Tuition for dependents’ education