The AAUW International Fellowships 2027–28 application window has closed. Eligible women who are not U.S. citizens applied for support for a first master’s or doctorate in STEM. The programme awarded fixed stipends of $20,000 (master’s) and $25,000 (doctoral); award notifications are scheduled for March 2027.
Fellowship at a Glance
| Programme | AAUW International Fellowships 2027–28 |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed; award decision pending |
| Application deadline | 17 September 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Award notification | March 2027 |
| Study | First master’s or doctorate in eligible STEM fields |
| Citizenship | Non-U.S. citizens, excluding U.S. permanent residents and green-card applicants |
| Minimum GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 scale |
| Master’s stipend | US$20,000 |
| Doctoral stipend | US$25,000 |
| Next cycle deadline | Not yet announced |
2027–28 Current Status
AAUW International Fellowships for the 2027–28 academic year are closed to new applications. The portal opened on 17 August 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time and closed on 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. AAUW schedules award notifications in March 2027. A new 2028–29 application timetable has not been officially announced.
What the International Fellowship Supports
The American Association of University Women supports eligible women who are non-U.S. citizens pursuing their first master’s or academic/professional doctoral degree in eligible STEM disciplines. The 2027–28 fellowship is not a blanket grant for all subjects, and postdoctoral research is not part of this specific programme. AAUW administers separate fellowship categories with different eligibility rules.
Eligibility and Citizenship
- Applicants must identify as a woman and must not be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents or applicants for permanent residency.
- They must be admitted to or enrolled in their first master’s or doctoral degree in a STEM discipline when applying.
- They must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s qualification and a minimum 3.5/4.0 cumulative GPA for their highest earned degree.
- Study must normally be full-time at an eligible accredited U.S. institution; AAUW describes limited alternatives for qualifying study outside the U.S., including specific travel-ban and Graduate Women International conditions.
- For the 2027–28 cycle, the stated programme must begin no later than 15 September 2027 and finish on or after 30 April 2028.
- AAUW employees, trustees/reviewers and certain related people, and most previous AAUW national award recipients, face disqualification rules.
Check the full official page for immigration, qualifying-institution, field and award-restriction details before planning a future application.
Award Amounts and Benefits
| First master’s degree | US$20,000 fellowship stipend |
|---|---|
| First doctoral degree | US$25,000 fellowship stipend |
| Payment structure | Two equal payments to the fellow, at the beginning and midpoint of the fellowship period |
| Full tuition guarantee | Not established; these are fixed stipends, not universal full-cost awards |
| Tax and other expenses | Tax obligations and residual costs depend on individual circumstances and applicable rules |
Do not confuse the International Fellowship with AAUW’s separate postdoctoral fellowships or other funding programmes. Their award amounts and eligibility are different.
Application and Award Timeline
| Applications opened | 17 August 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Applications closed | 17 September 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Award notification | March 2027 |
| First stipend instalment | July–September 2027 |
| Mid-year report | December 2027 |
| Second instalment | December 2027–January 2028 |
| Final report | 31 July 2028 |
| Next cycle | Not yet announced |
Application Documents and Evidence
For the closed cycle, AAUW required applicants to follow its online instructions and provide documentation appropriate to their degree and circumstances. Typical preparation involves academic transcripts, admission or enrolment evidence, academic and professional information, project or study narratives, financial planning and required references; the official application checklist determines each mandatory field.
The current FAQ states that GPA must satisfy the minimum 3.5 requirement and that applicants choose one degree type and one specific field. Transcripts and any explanations of degree-field differences must accurately reflect the applicant’s records.
How to Prepare for a Future Application
- Monitor the AAUW International Fellowships page until a new cycle is formally published.
- Confirm that your programme is your first master’s or doctorate in an eligible STEM field.
- Check citizenship, U.S. immigration, institution, programme dates and GPA rules against the new call.
- Obtain academic transcripts, current admission/enrolment evidence and recommendation materials as specified.
- Draft a specific study/research narrative identifying original academic work, measurable potential and community relevance.
- Prepare a realistic financial plan; do not label a fixed stipend as guaranteed full tuition.
- Use AAUW’s application portal once officially opened and submit before the Eastern Time closing hour.
Assessment and Applicant Strategy
AAUW uses a competitive review process. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, a credible STEM research or study plan and an ability to apply their skills to beneficial outcomes. Strong submissions use concrete evidence of accomplishment, clearly explain intended work and respond directly to the current programme criteria.
AAUW allows generative AI as a supporting tool but says it should not replace the applicant’s own experience, ideas, analysis or writing. Review every statement and keep supporting records accurate.
Next Cycle and Other AAUW Programmes
The 2028–29 International Fellowships application dates have not been announced. Different AAUW programmes may still have unrelated application windows; their availability does not reopen the International Fellowship. The International Project Grant and selected professional or American doctoral programmes have different target groups and must not be combined into this programme’s eligibility or deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AAUW International Fellowships 2027–28 open?
No. Applications closed on 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Are non-STEM disciplines eligible?
The 2027–28 International Fellowship is restricted to eligible STEM disciplines; earlier all-discipline summaries are outdated.
Can postdoctoral researchers apply?
Not under this specific first-master’s/doctorate International Fellowship. Check distinct AAUW postdoctoral opportunities separately.
What are the fellowship amounts?
The 2027–28 amounts are $20,000 for a master’s degree and $25,000 for a doctoral degree.
Can a U.S. permanent resident apply?
No. U.S. permanent residents and applicants for U.S. permanent residency are ineligible.
What minimum GPA is required?
At least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the highest academic degree earned.
Must studies take place in the United States?
Generally yes, at an eligible U.S. institution. Specific limited foreign-study exceptions are detailed on the official AAUW page.
When are successful applicants notified?
AAUW schedules award notification for March 2027.
Has the 2028–29 application window been announced?
Not on the current official International Fellowships page as reviewed on 10 October 2026.
Official and Primary Sources
- AAUW — Official International Fellowships
- AAUW Help Center — Eligibility
- AAUW Fellowships and Grants FAQ
- AAUW — All Funding Programmes
Last verified: 10 October 2026. This article summarises a closed application cycle; current rules and any future reopening must be checked with AAUW. The stipend amounts do not guarantee that all tuition and living costs will be covered.
