Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.
AAUW originally designed Career Development Grants in 1972 to offer “encouragement” funding to AAUW members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement.
Today, grants support course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Course work must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for doctorate-level work.
Eligibility Criteria
Career Development Grants are open to women, including people who identify as women, who:
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Hold an earned (not honorary) bachelor’s degree.
- Received their bachelor’s degree on or before June 30, 2016.
- Do not hold an earned (not honorary) graduate or professional degree.
- Plan to enroll or are enrolled in courses/activities that are required for professional employment or advancement.
- Plan to enroll or are enrolled in one of the following program types:
- Bachelor’s degree program that is different from the field of study of the previously earned bachelor’s degree.
- Master’s degree program.
- Certification program.
- Technical school.
- Plan to enroll or are enrolled in one of the following fields of study:
- Education.
- Health and Medical Sciences.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
- Social Sciences.
Application Process
Go to American Association of University Women (AAUW) on aauw.applyists.net to apply
Required Documents:
Complete all required components in the following tabs.
- Start
- Background
- Proposal
- Recommendation, Documents, & Review
- Recommendation
- Your recommendation must be submitted by a college counselor or adviser, an instructor or a work supervisor who knows you well. AAUW does not accept references from dossier services, such as Parment or Interfolio.
- Documents
- Applicants must upload transcript or diploma that shows bachelor’s degree. Document must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, the degree name, and the degree date.
*A certified English translation is required for all components provided in a foreign language. Translations must bear a mark of certification or official signature that the translation is true and complete.
**All transcripts provided must include the applicant’s full name, the school’s name, all courses and all grades, as well as any other information requested in in the application instructions.
