AAUW International Fellowships Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Hey future leaders and change-makers! Are you a South African woman dreaming of pursuing your Master’s or PhD in the United States? Well, get ready, because the AAUW International Fellowships Bursary is here to help make that dream a reality! This incredible opportunity is designed specifically for women from outside the U.S. who are ready to make a significant impact through their studies.

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) International Fellowships Bursary provides financial support to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enabling them to pursue full-time graduate or postgraduate studies and research at accredited institutions across the United States. If you’re passionate about your field and committed to advancing women and girls, this bursary could be your ticket to global academic excellence!

Who Can Apply?

You must identify as a woman.
You are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This means South African women are definitely eligible!
You must be admitted or already enrolled in your first Master’s, academic, or professional doctorate degree program at an accredited U.S. institution at the time of application. This includes degrees like MA, MS, MBA, MFA, LLM, M.Arch, DBA, Ed.D., J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.
Your program must start on or before 1 September 2026 and finish on or after 30 April 2027.
You need to have at least one academic degree (U.S. or international equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for your highest degree earned.
You must commit to full-time study in the U.S. and reside there for the fellowship period.
Preference is given to women who have shown a strong commitment to advancing women and girls through their community, civic, or professional work.

What Does It Cover?

This fellowship provides substantial financial assistance to help ease your educational journey:

Master’s/Professional Fellowships: Recipients receive $20,000.
Doctorate Fellowships: Recipients receive $25,000.

These stipends are paid directly to the fellows in two equal installments, at the beginning and mid-point of your fellowship term. This bursary helps cover your living expenses and study costs, allowing you to focus on your academics.

How to Apply?

Ready to take this exciting step? Here’s what you need to know:

The application period for the AAUW International Fellowships Bursary for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on 1 August 2025.

Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted online. Make sure you don’t miss the deadline!

The application deadline for AY 2026-2027 is 30 September 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

It is super important to visit the official AAUW website for the most detailed and up-to-date information, including access to the online application portal. This is where you’ll find everything you need to know to submit a strong application!

Official Application Link: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity to boost your academic career and make a difference, then don’t hesitate! Prepare your application and apply for the AAUW International Fellowships Bursary as soon as applications open. Your future in the U.S. awaits! And while you’re here, be sure to explore more incredible bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!