AAUW Career Development Grants Opening Soon
Offered by American Association of University Women (AAUW)
About This Scholarship
The American Association of University Women has funded women's education since 1881, and its Career Development Grants are built for women returning to school mid-career. The grants invest up to $8,000 in women pursuing a certificate, credential, or training program needed to enter, transition into, or advance within high-demand fields where women are underrepresented.
Qualifying fields include STEM disciplines such as engineering, technology, mathematics, and the natural and physical sciences, along with architecture, business, law, and executive leadership — any field where women make up less than half the workforce or senior leadership. Applicants must already hold at least an associate degree, making this a true returning-student program rather than a first-degree scholarship.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents, and the funded program must be a short-term, accredited offering. The application includes written components, including a data-supported case that women are underrepresented in the applicant's target field. The current cycle opens August 18, 2026 and closes September 30, 2026, with awards announced in November.
Eligibility
- Identifies as a woman and holds at least an associate degree (or higher)
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Pursuing an accredited certificate, credential, or training program to enter, transition into, or advance in a field where women are underrepresented (e.g., STEM, architecture, business, law, executive leadership)
- Program start date must fall within the window specified for the grant cycle
How To Apply
- Apply online at aauw.org when the cycle opens (August 18 - September 30, 2026 for the current round)
- Complete the written application, including a citation-backed explanation of how women are underrepresented in your target field
- Award notifications go out in November, with funding applied to the upcoming program term
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an AAUW Career Development Grant for a full degree program?
The grants fund short-term, accredited certificate, credential, and training programs rather than multi-year degrees, and applicants must already hold at least an associate degree before applying.
What fields qualify for the grant?
Any high-demand field where women represent less than 50 percent of the workforce or of senior leadership — AAUW's examples include STEM disciplines, engineering, technology, architecture, mathematics, natural and physical sciences, business, law, and executive leadership.