AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship

About this scholarship

The AAUW American Doctoral Fellowship provides a $25,000 stipend for one year of full-time doctoral study or dissertation work. It is the current successor to the American Dissertation Fellowship listed by some scholarship directories and is open to women across all fields, with STEM applicants and research addressing gender issues especially encouraged. The stipend is paid directly to the fellow in two equal installments and may support tuition, fees, required books and supplies, housing, food, and dependent care. Applicants must be pursuing their first doctorate in an eligible Ph.D., Sc.D./D.Sc., Ed.D., S.J.D./J.S.D., D.Eng., Dr.P.H., or D.B.A. program. Study may occur at a U.S.-accredited institution or at an international institution eligible for U.S. federal student aid. Selection weighs academic or scholarly excellence, the originality and feasibility of the proposed work, the financial plan, career impact, and demonstrated commitment to women and girls. Preference may also recognize applicants who overcame major barriers, are first-generation graduates, are caregivers, or study at institutions with limited research resources. The 2027–28 application opens August 17, 2026 and closes September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern through AAUW’s application portal.

Eligibility

• Identify as a woman
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident from an eligible U.S. jurisdiction
• Pursue a first doctorate in one of AAUW’s listed doctoral degree types
• Hold at least one academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
• Enroll full time in doctoral coursework or complete dissertation writing on a full-time basis
• Begin the program by September 30, 2027 and complete or defend no earlier than April 1, 2028
• Attend a U.S.-accredited institution or qualifying international federal-aid institution
• Apply for no other national AAUW fellowship or grant in the same year and have no disqualifying prior award