Career Development Grants supports the career progression of women by funding to women preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce. Primary consideration is given to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in education, health and medicine, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and social sciences. Grants are available to support full-time or part-time coursework such as a second bachelor’s or first master’s degree, a certification program, or specialized training in these fields.
About AAUW
OUR MISSION
Gender Equity & Economic Security
We’ve led the fight for fair pay and economic opportunity for women — and the battle continues: Women still get just 83 cents for every dollar paid to a man, and men continue to dominate the top roles and highest-paying professions.
OUR VALUES
Intersectional. Inclusive. Intergenerational. Empowering.
Though we are nonpartisan, we are not values-neutral: We fight to remove the barriers and biases that stand in the way of gender equity. We train women to negotiate for pay and benefits and to pursue leadership roles. And... continue reading
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AAUW Career Development Grants
Aim and Benefits of AAUW Career Development Grants
The award ceiling for Career Development Grants for a degree program is $20,000 and for non-degree programs is $8,000. Grant funds are payable to grantees only and are disbursed as follows:
- Degree Programs: Two equal payments at the beginning and the midpoint of the grant term
- Non-degree Programs: In full, either at the beginning of the grant term or at the program start
AAUW Career Development Grants Courses
Requirements for AAUW Career Development Grants Qualification
- Applicants must be or identify as a woman.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree earned on or before June 30, 2017.
- Applicants must be pursuing a degree (such as a second bachelor’s or first master’s degree) or a non-degree program (such as a certification program or specialized training) in education, health and medicine, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and social sciences.
- Applicants must pursue their study in the U.S. at an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Applicants pursuing degree programs must be enrolled in their programs during the entire grant year.
- Applicants pursuing a second bachelor’s degree must enroll in a program that differs from the field of study in which they previously earned a bachelor’s or associate degree.
- Applicants pursuing non-degree programs such as a certification program or specialized training must be enrolled in their programs for at least six months during the grant year.
- 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 or lead single parent households (preferred).
- Applicants who reside or will matriculate at a school in Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee or Indiana (preferred).
Citizenship & Immigration Status
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Disqualifying Factors
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 discipline or institution of study is different than envisioned at the time of application will be disqualified.
Interview date, Process and Venue for AAUW Career Development Grants
Selection Criteria
- Academic excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction.
- Potential to make contribution to chosen field as a practicing professional and role model for other girls and women.
- Demonstrated commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
- Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their program of study based on sufficient, holistic financial support.
- 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.
Selection Process
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.
Review Panels
Applications to the Career Development Grants are reviewed by panels of distinguished scholars and experts in the following disciplines:
- Education
- Health & Medicine
- Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
- Social Sciences
Review panels meet once a year to review applications for funding. Panel funding recommendations are subject to final approval by AAUW.
Review Process
Prior to the Career Development Grant Panel Review, AAUW’s Fellowships & Grants Team reviews applications for completeness and ensures compliance with eligibility requirements.
Each application is subsequently read by two panel reviewers. Reviewers assess applications based on the selection criteria described above.
Timeline
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Milestone
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Date
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Application Submission Period
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September 16, 2024 – November 15, 2024
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Grant Award Status Notification
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April 15, 2025
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Tranche #1 of Grant Funds Disbursed
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July 2025
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Grant Term
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July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
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Tranche #2 of Grant Funds Disbursed (if applicable)
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January 2026
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Final Report
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July 31, 2026
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Documents Required for Application
In addition to a narrative application, all applicants are required to submit the following:
- Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from advisors, professors, colleagues or others well acquainted with the applicant, their work, professional qualifications and academic background.
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 bachelor’s degree earned on or before June 30, 2017.
- Transcripts: Copy of official transcripts confirming conferral of bachelor’s degree. All transcripts must include the applicants’ full name, the school’s name, the degree conferred, and the list of courses taken, and grades received.
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 differs from the one stated in the application, an explanation must be provided, such as a marriage certificate or a court letter of name change.
Applicants are responsible for the submission of all required documents. Incomplete applications will be reviewed and considered at the discretion of AAUW.
Application Deadline
November 15, 2024How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
AAUW on aauw.applyists.net to apply
International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) serves as the application portal for AAUW Career Development Grants. Please follow the steps below to start the application process:
- Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you are eligible.
- Click the Apply Now button below to access the application and create an ISTS account. If a program key is requested, please use the following program key: AAUW-CDG
- Follow the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide.
For more details visit: AAUW website.
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