Selected Professions Fellowship Program

Fellowships are available for Master of Science (MS) programs in a range of science disciplines including: 

Life Science:

• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Marine Biology
• Zoology
• Botany/Plant Biology
• Plant Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences
• Animal Sciences
• Nutrition Science
• Food Science
• Biotechnology
• Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Sciences

Physical Science:

• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Space Science
• Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry)
• Materials Science
• Materials Chemistry

Earth, Environmental & Space Sciences:

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Geology
• Earth Science
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Geochemistry
• Paleontology
• Hydrology
• Atmospheric Science
• Meteorology
• Climatology
• Oceanography
• Marine Science
• Soil Science
• Forestry
• Natural Resource Science
• Sustainability Science

Health & Medical Sciences (STEM-based):

• Biomedical Science
• Biomedical Research
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Public Health (quantitative/scientific tracks)
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Kinesiology/Exercise Science
• Health Informatics

Fellowships are available for Master of Science (MS) programs in a range of technological disciplines, including:

Computer & Information Sciences:

• Computer Science
• Applied Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Data Science
• Data Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Robotics
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Computational Science
• Information Technology
• Information Systems
• Cybersecurity
• Network Engineering
• Cloud Computing
• Game Design & Development (technical tracks)

Information & Digital Technologies:

• Information Science
• Informatics
• Bioinformatics
• Health Informatics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Digital Forensics
• Computational Modeling & Simulation

Fellowships are available for Master of Science (MS) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng) programs in a range of engineering disciplines including: 

Core Engineering Disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering

Specialized & Interdisciplinary Engineering:

• Architecture (technical tracks)
• Urban Planning (quantitative/engineering focus)
• Biomedical Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Astronautical Engineering
• Engineering Technology
• Nuclear Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Naval Architecture
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Robotics Engineering
• Nanotechnology Engineering
• Photonics Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Engineering Physics

Fellowships are available for Master of Science (MS) programs in a range of math disciplines including:

Applied Mathematics:

• Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Pure Mathematics
• Computational Mathematics
• Mathematical Modeling
• Mathematical Biology
• Mathematical Physics

Statistics & Quantitative Fields:

• Statistics
• Applied Statistics
• Biostatistics
• Computational Social Science
• Probability
• Actuarial Science
• Operations Research
• Quantitative Analysis
• Quantitative Psychology
• Financial Mathematics
• Econometrics (quantitative STEM track)

Fellowships are available for the following professional degree programs:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)
• Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)

• Applicants must identify as a woman.

• Applicants must be pursuing a full-time program at an institution:
  • Recognized as accredited by the US Department of Education, or
  • An international institution recognized as eligible to participate in U.S. federal student aid programs, as listed on the Federal Student Aid Participating Schools list. 

• Applicants must be enrolled in their program on a full-time basis from September 2027 through April 30, 2028.
• Applicants must have an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree at the time of application. Applicants enrolled in a joint-degree program may apply for support if they plan to pursue full-time coursework during the entire fellowship year in one of the approved degree programs above. Coursework in other fields, even if part of a joint-degree program, is not supported.

• Applicants must apply for a fellowship in a single specific discipline (e.g., Science, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, or Medicine).

• Applicants must not already hold a master’s or professional degree.

Citizenship & Immigration Status   

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents from the 50 States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other territory of the United States.

The following are not eligible for consideration:

• Current members of the AAUW Board of Directors
• Employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns, and contract employees
• Current 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)

Selected Professionals Fellowships carry a stipend of $20,000. Stipends are payable to fellows only and are disbursed in two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the fellowship term. 

• Academic excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from peers, professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction.
• Well-defined career goals in a STEM field and demonstrated passion and commitment to a career in the chosen profession.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to STEM through sustained academic focus, active participation in STEM-related extracurricular activities, and potential to apply knowledge and experience to improve equity or contribute to societal advancement in STEM.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting other women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
• Applicants must list any confirmed or pending sources of financial support and describe any additional funding gaps.
• Special consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate their intent to professionally serve under resourced populations and communities or to pursue public interest areas.
• 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 were the first in their family to attain a bachelor’s degree (preferred).
• Applicants who hail from single parent households (preferred).
• Parenting students (preferred).
• Applicants pursuing their studies at R2 institutions or at institutions with limited research resources are encouraged to apply, and institutional context will be considered as part of the holistic review process.

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.

All applicants are required to submit the following with their application:

• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, colleagues, or others who are academically or professionally familiar with the applicant, their work, professional qualifications, and academic background. Recommenders are encouraged to evaluate the applicant in relation to the fellowship selection criteria and support this assessment with specific examples.
  • Please provide a professional email address for the recommenders, rather than a personal one.
  • It is the applicants’ responsibility to remind their recommender of the application deadline in order for the application to be completed on time. An application will not be considered complete until the recommendations have been submitted.
  • Register the recommenders through your online application as early as possible in the application process. The application system will send each recommender a personalized link to submit the recommendation online.

Note: AAUW does not accept references from dossier services, such as Parment or Interfolio, and standardized or form-letter recommendations are discouraged.

• Proof of Degree: Copy of all degrees earned to date (required).
  • Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
  • 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 name, and the degree conferred.  
  • Applicants must submit translations for all degrees that were awarded in a language other than English. For the highest earned degree, a certified translation is required.
  • Applicants with an equivalent of a bachelor’s degree (particularly if the transcript or degree certification does not explicitly state it is a bachelor’s degree) must provide an official explanation from the academic institution or governing body, or submit a credential evaluation report form service like WES or ECE that clarifies the equivalency of your qualification to a bachelor’s degree. 

• Transcripts: Official transcripts confirming conferral of all degrees received (required).   
  • Applicants must upload copies of all official 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.
  • Applicants must submit translations for all degrees that were awarded in a language other than English. For the highest earned degree, a certified translation is required.
  • 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 an applicant holds two degrees at the same level, such as two bachelor’s degrees or two master’s degrees, the most recently awarded degree will be considered the highest.

• Proof of admission or current enrollment in the program an applicant plans to pursue (if applicable):
  • Students who have been admitted to their program but not yet started:
    • Upload a copy of the official admission letter that indicates the anticipated start date of the program
    • Upload the official deferral approval for the 2027-28 academic year along with the official admission letter, if the applicant’s college or university admission was deferred (if applicable).
  • Students who are currently enrolled in their program: 
    • Upload official transcripts/course listings or an enrollment verification letter from the college or university in which the applicant is currently enrolled, if enrolled. All submitted documents must clearly state the applicant’s name and their institution’s name.
    • Upload the official deferral approval for the 2027-28 academic year along with the official admission letter, if the applicant’s college or university admission was deferred (if applicable).
  • Applicants who have applied to an institution but have not yet been accepted are not required to upload documentation in this section.

A certified English translation is required for all materials provided in a foreign language. Translations must bear a mark of certification or official signature that the translation is true and complete.

If the name on any of the above documents differs from the one provided in the application, an explanation must be provided — such as a marriage certificate or a court-issued name change document.

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

Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.

To ensure fairness and consistency in the review process, only complete applications that meet all eligibility criteria and include all required documentation will be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to confirm that all materials are accurate and complete prior to submission.

Review Panels  

Applications to the Selected Professions Fellowship Program are reviewed by panels of distinguished scholars and practitioners in STEM fields. Panel funding recommendations are subject to final approval by AAUW.

Review Process  

Prior to the Selected Professions Fellowships Panel Review, AAUW’s Fellowships & Grants Team reviews applications for completeness and ensures compliance with eligibility requirements. Each eligible and complete application is then reviewed by a panel of reviewers, who evaluate applications based on the selection criteria outlined above.

Applicants selected as awardees must complete the full award acceptance process, including submission of all required materials as outlined by AAUW. Award status is not considered final until all acceptance materials have been received, reviewed, and approved.

Selected Professions Fellows are required to pursue their studies full time.

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

Fellowship awards may be used for tuition, fees, and course-required expenses like books and supplies, as well as housing, food, and other living expenses (including childcare). Awarded funds may not be expended on costs incurred prior to the fellowship term start date or after the fellowship term end date.

Fellowship 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 Fellows’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. Fellows are strongly encouraged to consult a personal tax advisor or the IRS for guidance specific to their situation.

Eligibility and Application Guidelines 

I already hold a master’s or professional degree. I am planning to apply for another master’s or professional degree and use the AAUW fellowship to support it. Am I eligible to apply for the Selected Professions Fellowship?

No. The Selected Professions Fellowship is intended for students working towards their first master’s or professional degree.

I am enrolled/plan to enroll in a part-time program. Am I eligible to apply for the Selected Professions Fellowship?

No. Only applicants who intend to enroll or are enrolled in a full-time program are eligible for the Selected Professions Fellowship.

I only have one semester remaining to complete my degree, can I still apply and receive only half the award amount?

No, you must be enrolled in your program for the entire 2027-28 academic year (September 2027- April 30, 2028).

Are online programs eligible?

No, online programs are not eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in their program full-time in person.

Do I need to be enrolled or already admitted to a program to apply?

Applicants who have applied to programs but have not yet been accepted are welcome to apply. Please note that if you are selected for the AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship, you will be required to show proof of acceptance into your program prior to receiving your award.

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 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.

Can I apply to multiple programs in different academic fields?

No. Applicants must apply to one program type in a single field of study. For example, you may apply to a master’s program within the broad field of biology — such as biochemistry, biotechnology, or bioengineering — but you may not apply for both a master’s program in biology and a medical degree (M.D.), or a master’s program in biology and a master’s program in physics.

I am not pursuing a degree in Natural and Physical Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medicine. Can I still apply?

No. Only applicants pursuing master’s or professional degrees in the following fields may apply:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Medicine

I am pursuing a degree in one of the approved fields, but I don’t see my specific degree listed in the program description. Can I still apply?

Applicants in the fields of sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics may apply, provided their program falls within the broader discipline areas listed. For a full list of accepted programs within each field, please refer to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. When completing your application, please select the field that most closely aligns with your area of study. Applicants in the field of Medicine must apply for one of the programs listed in the eligibility description.

What forms of proof of degree are eligible for the application?

Eligible forms of proof of degree include:

• A copy or image of your diploma
• An official transcript which shows the degree conferred and date of conferral
• An official letter written and signed the institution register’s office which includes the applicant’s full name, the degree conferred and date of conferral,
• Official certificate from National Student Clearinghouse

My institution will not email me a copy of my official transcript. Can I have it emailed or sent to AAUW?

No, AAUW will not accept official transcripts mailed directly to our office or email. In this instance, please request an official hard copy of your transcript, then upload the image of the document pages to your application.

Award Details 

What types of expenses are considered prohibited under the Selected Professions Fellowships?

Under the Selected Professions Fellowship, certain expenses are classified as prohibited and therefore may not be covered using fellowship funds. These include:

• Research assistants
• Previous expenditures, deficits, or repayment of personal loans
• Publication costs
• Institutional (overhead) costs
• Tuition for dependents’ education