Women International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

AAUW International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (2026–2027): Funding for Women Researchers in the U.S.

If you’re a woman researcher (non-U.S. citizen) planning a full-time postdoctoral research experience in the United States, the AAUW International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is one of the most recognized options to fund a one-year postdoc—while also strengthening your long-term academic leadership and impact back home.

AAUW (American Association of University Women) has supported international women pursuing postgraduate and postdoctoral research in the U.S. since 1917. The program is designed for scholars who aim to apply their expertise and leadership in their home countries after the fellowship.

What the fellowship offers

Funding amount

• Total stipend: $50,000

• Payment schedule: disbursed in two equal installments (start + midpoint of the fellowship term).

Beyond the money

While the stipend is the headline, the real value is what the fellowship signals: a strong vote of confidence in your research trajectory, plus credibility that can support future grants, collaborations, and faculty-track positioning (especially when your postdoc is your first major international research stint). The program’s selection criteria explicitly values research originality, feasibility, and commitment to women’s empowerment and leadership.

Eligible fields of study (AAUW-defined list)

AAUW lists the fellowship for specific Natural & Physical Science discipline areas, including:

• Agriculture, Architecture, Biology, Chemistry

• Earth & Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geology

• Health & Medicine, Mathematics/Statistics

• Materials Science & Physics, Psychology & Psychiatry

• Technology/Data/Computer Science, Zoology

Eligibility (who can apply)

You are typically eligible if you meet all of the following:

• Identify as a woman.

• Non-U.S. citizen and not a U.S. permanent resident (and not applying for permanent residency).

• Admitted to your first postdoctoral research experience by the application deadline.

• Hold an academic or professional doctoral degree with minimum CGPA 3.5/4.0 at the time of application.

• Conduct research full-time at a U.S. institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Meet the program’s start/end timing rules (see dates below).

Special route for GWI members (outside the U.S.)

AAUW also notes that up to five awards may be available for Graduate Women International (GWI) affiliate members for study in any country other than their own.

Who is not eligible (common disqualifiers)

AAUW lists several disqualifying categories, including:

• AAUW Board members, employees/contract staff/interns/consultants, review panelists, and their immediate family members

• Previous AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (with limited exceptions such as Community Action Grants or local AAUW awards).

English proficiency: minimum accepted scores

Applicants must upload proof of English proficiency (scores generally valid for two years) and AAUW lists these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT 79

• TOEFL Essentials 8.5

• Revised TOEFL Paper-Delivered 60

• IELTS 6.5

• Cambridge Assessment 176

• Duolingo English Test (DET) 120

Key dates (verified for the 2026–2027 cycle)

Below is the official timeline shown on AAUW’s program page:

Important timing rule (eligibility-related): applicants must begin the program on or before September 1, 2026 and complete it on or after May 30, 2027.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)