AAUW’s Career Development Grant

The Career Development Grants offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) provide funding support for women seeking to advance their careers in high-growth STEM fields where women are underrepresented. AAUW is a national organization committed to promoting gender equity through research, education, and advocacy. This particular grant aims to assist women in obtaining the credentials necessary to transition into, re-enter, or move upward within technical, scientific, or leadership roles. The funding is structured to support short-term, accredited programs that are aligned with current labor market demands, typically offering employment outcomes within 6 to 12 months. Career Development Grants offer up to $8,000 per recipient and are intended for certificate, credential, or training programs that have at least 400 instructional hours. These programs must be offered by accredited or licensed institutions. Eligible fields include, but are not limited to, engineering disciplines (aerospace, chemical, civil, mechanical), applied mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, natural and physical sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology), and technology areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, robotics, and software development. AAUW also encourages applications from women currently employed in these fields who are seeking leadership or executive training to move into decision-making roles. Eligibility requirements are stringent. Applicants must identify as women, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must have already completed a bachelor's degree. They must either be enrolled or accepted into a certificate, credential, or training program in a high-growth STEM field (with 5% or more projected growth over the next 8 to 10 years) where women represent less than 50% of the workforce, or currently work in such a field and be seeking executive-level training. Programs must lead to tangible career advancement and be backed by reliable labor market data. Applicants are required to provide documentation verifying program accreditation, instructional hours, and current demographic and employment data for their field. Applications are reviewed on a competitive, rolling basis with three annual deadlines: September 30, December 31, and March 31. Each deadline is followed by a review period and then award notifications, with disbursement in the subsequent month. For example, applications submitted by September 30 will be reviewed in October, with notifications in November and funding disbursed in December. While the review process is rolling, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible due to limited funding availability. The grant does not allow for revisions or additions after submission, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants must submit narrative responses and several supporting documents. These include proof of accreditation, a statement of instructional hours, projected occupational growth rates, and statistics on gender representation within the field. These data must include sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or equivalent state labor agencies. All required documents must be complete and submitted at the time of application, as late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. AAUW does not provide feedback on rejected or incomplete applications. The grant supports expenses including tuition, fees, required course materials, transportation, and dependent care. It does not cover living expenses (except as noted), previous debts, or institutional overhead. Grant funds are disbursed in full at the beginning of the program or grant term and are payable directly to the grantee. Recipients are advised to consult a tax professional to understand any potential tax liabilities. Changes to the applicant's chosen field or program after submission will result in disqualification.

Submit early; incomplete or incorrect applications will not be reviewed; changes cannot be made after submission.