Career Development Grants champion gender equity in education and workplaces by investing up to $8,000 in women pursuing a certificate, credential, or training program needed to enter, transition into, or advance within high-demand STEM fields in which they are underrepresented. Grants fund short-term, accredited programs. AAUW also welcomes applications from women currently employed in high-demand STEM fields who seek executive-level or leadership development training to advance into decision-making roles.
AAUW aims to help close the gender gap in STEM professions, including in technical and executive leadership roles, by supporting a broad range of career trajectories. AAUW’s Career Development Grants focus especially on emerging tech and science-driven industries, and AAUW holds a particular interest in programs that lead to tangible employment outcomes or advancement within 6-12 months.
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Career Development Grants
Aim and Benefits of Career Development Grants
The award ceiling for Career Development Grants is $8,000. Grant funds are payable to grantees only and are disbursed in full, at the beginning of the grant term or at the start of the program, as appropriate.
Requirements for Career Development Grants Qualification
- 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.
Interview date, Process and Venue for Career Development Grants
- 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).
Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027
Application Deadline
September 30, 2025How to Apply
For more details, visit AAUW Grants webpage
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