Career Development Grants

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers Career Development Grants as part of its mission to promote gender equity in education and the workplace. Founded in 1881, AAUW is a nonprofit organization that champions equal opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. This particular grant program is tailored to support women who are seeking to either enter, transition into, or advance within high-demand STEM fields in which women remain significantly underrepresented. The grant reflects AAUW’s strategic focus on improving gender representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through workforce development and upskilling. Career Development Grants provide financial support of up to $8,000 to eligible women pursuing short-term, accredited certificate, credential, or training programs. The funding is designed to support programs that include at least 400 instructional hours and are directly tied to high-growth career sectors. AAUW prioritizes programs that lead to professional advancement or new employment within 6 to 12 months, with particular attention given to leadership development initiatives for women already working in STEM occupations. Funding is disbursed in full at the beginning of the grant term or program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who identify as women and already hold a bachelor’s degree. To qualify, applicants must either be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited training program in a STEM field showing projected occupational growth of at least 5% over the next 8–10 years, where women make up less than 50% of the workforce. Eligible fields span a wide range of STEM disciplines, including engineering, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, technology, and related executive leadership or management training. Programs must be based in the U.S. and lead to recognized credentials or certifications. Preference may be given to applicants whose training leads directly to industry-recognized certification and those from underserved or disadvantaged backgrounds. The selection process is competitive and based on the quality and relevance of the applicant’s proposed training program, demonstrated career trajectory in a qualifying STEM field, service to women or girls in the community or profession, and the feasibility of completing the program based on available resources. Additional preference may be given to applicants who have overcome significant personal or educational barriers or who are from single-parent households. Past AAUW national fellows or grant recipients are ineligible, with the exception of those who previously received Community Action Grants or local AAUW awards. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling, round-based annual cycle. Three deadlines are available each year: September 30, December 31, and March 31. Applicants are notified of their status in November, February, and May, respectively. Fund disbursements follow in the subsequent month after notification. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and applicants are solely responsible for ensuring accuracy and submission prior to the stated deadlines. No feedback or corrections will be accepted once submitted. For further information, the AAUW national office can be contacted at 1310 L Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 or by phone at 202-785-7700. Applicants are encouraged to begin early due to the rolling nature of the review cycle and should refer to the official AAUW site for additional application instructions, policies, and resource materials.