AAUW’s International Fellowship Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Hey future leaders! Ready to chase your postgraduate dreams in the United States? We’re talking about an incredible opportunity that could fund your Master’s or Doctorate: the AAUW’s International Fellowship Bursary! If you’re a woman with big academic goals and a passion for making a difference back home in South Africa, this one’s definitely for you. Let’s dive into what makes this bursary a game-changer!

This isn’t just any bursary; it’s designed to empower women globally! The AAUW (American Association of University Women) International Fellowship program helps women from outside the U.S. pursue Master’s or Doctoral degrees, or even postdoctoral research, at accredited institutions in the United States. The big idea? They want to invest in women who will use their new knowledge, skills, and leadership to make a real impact in their home countries after graduation. Think of it as a launchpad for your career and a way to contribute meaningfully to South Africa!

Who Can Apply?

Listen up, because these are the key requirements to qualify for this awesome opportunity:

You must be a woman, or identify as a woman.
You need to be a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
You must either be admitted to or currently enrolled in your first master’s or an academic/professional doctorate degree program in the U.S. at the time of your application.
Your program must start on or before September 1, 2026, and finish on or after April 30, 2027.
You need to hold at least one academic degree (earned in the U.S. or elsewhere) that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
For your highest earned degree, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
You can apply for only one type of degree (Master’s or Doctoral) and in a single specific field of study.
Your studies must be full-time at a U.S. institution that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
You must reside in the U.S. (or country of your research if applicable) for the entire duration of the fellowship period.

What Does It Cover?

Wondering how this bursary will support you? Here’s the exciting part:

For Master’s degree studies, the fellowship provides a generous stipend of $20,000.
If you’re pursuing a Doctorate degree, you’ll receive a stipend of $25,000.

These stipends are paid directly to the fellows in two equal installments: one at the beginning and the other at the midpoint of the fellowship term (which typically runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027). This financial support is designed to help you cover various costs associated with your studies, making your academic journey smoother!

How to Apply?

Ready to take the leap? Applying for the AAUW International Fellowship Bursary is straightforward. Here’s what you need to know:

The application submission period for the 2026/2027 academic year is from August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. Make sure you get your application in before the deadline!
You’ll typically be notified of your fellowship award status around April 15, 2026.

For all the detailed information and to start your application, head over to the official AAUW website. All applications are submitted online.

Visit the Official Webpage of the AAUW’s International Fellowship Program to Apply!

If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — apply now and explore more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!