Scholarship Focus: AAUW International Fellowships for Women

nThere are a number of funding opportunities for study and training abroad. One interesting program is designed for women from around the world to pursue either master’s degrees, or professional research, or doctoral degrees, or post-doctoral fellowships at accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning. Since its inception in the early 1900s, this program, known as the AAUW Education Foundation’s International Fellowship, has offered over 3,000 fellowships for international women to pursue higher studies and conduct research in the United States.

The scholarship is sponsored by AAUW (formerly, the American Association of University Women), an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in higher education and promoting equity in education. As part of AAUW’s varied programming to support women and education initiatives, its International Fellowship has assisted women in all areas and from all walks of life. Fellows have included well-known artists, scientists, and civic leaders. Some recent fellows are working on cutting-edge research and technology such as “biosensors for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer” and developing sustainable programs for aquifer storage and recovery. Others are looking at the role of civil society in sustainable environmental policies and social enterprise.

Applicants for either master’s or doctoral degrees should be women who hold bachelor degrees from an accredited institution in any field of study and seek to pursue either full-time study or research in the U.S. Applicants should also have an acceptance letter from an accredited U.S. institution in hand. Winning the AAUW International Fellowship is a very competitive process. Out of the over 1,000 applications received annually from around the world, only 70 to 75 women succeed in receiving fellowships each year.

Yemen has yet to see a fellowship finalist, according to the AAUW online database of past and current recipients, but last year, the first Yemeni woman made it to the alternate stage. Three important tips for potential Yemeni applicants include the following. First, special attention is given to carefully-crafted research proposals. Second, applicants should have financial need and be able to demonstrate how they may be able to put together a financial package that covers all of their expenses above the AAUW fellowship. Third, applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to disseminate information regarding their studies; this ability is usually evidenced by already having publications and significant experience or research on one’s curriculum vitae.

Applications for the 2010 – 2011 academic year are now available online from the AAUW website. The deadline for application submission is: December 1, 2009. For more information and an application, please visit: http://www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfm. The website also provides contact information for the AAUW International Fellowship office in Iowa.