The American Dissertation Fellowship, in particular, offsets scholars’ expenses during their final year of dissertation writing and deepens AAUW’s impact by accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia. The American Dissertation Fellowship is open to women in all fields of study, though those engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply. AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States.

Funding Information

• American Dissertation Fellowships carry a stipend of $25,000.

Uses of the Funds

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must identify as a woman.
• Applicants must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, have a prior-approved research proposal, or plan and be engaged in completing the final year of their dissertation writing on a full-time basis from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
• Applicants must be completing their first doctoral degree.
• Applicants must be enrolled at an institution:
  • Accredited in the United States,
  • 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.
• Citizenship & Immigration Status:
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Ineligibility Criteria

• 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
  • 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 cannot be working on a Master’s degree during their fellowship year

Selection Criteria

• Scholarly excellence, as demonstrated by academic records and achievements, recognition from peers, professors, and/or institutions, and other forms of distinction
• Research that demonstrates originality in its design and has the potential to make significant contributions to the relevant academic or professional field
• Active commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities, professions, or fields of research
• Feasibility of the research plans, the funding of those plans and the proposed timeline for their completion
• Applicants pursuing doctoral studies in science, technology, engineering, or math fields; or those researching gender issues (Preferred)
• 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
• Applicants who were the first in their family to attain a bachelor’s degree
• Applicants who lead or hail from single parent households
• Please keep the following in mind:
  • Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be reviewed.
  • AAUW does not provide feedback on missing or incorrect materials.
  • Once submitted, applications cannot be edited or updated.
  • Additional documentation will not be accepted after the deadline.
  • Requests for deadline extensions will not be accommodated.

For more information, visit AAUW Action Fund.