American Association of University Women —
Dissertation Fellowship

Note to PIs: The following program summary is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It does not replace the sponsor’s actual funding opportunity announcement. Always review the most recent version of the sponsor’s full announcement to verify that the deadline has not changed and to identify the most current program requirements.

About the fellowship

AAUW is one of the nation’s largest sources of private funding exclusively for educational programs that directly benefit women and girls. Dissertation Fellowships are open to women scholars in all fields of study, and are designed to offset a scholar’s living expenses while she completes her dissertation. Thus, funds may be used for educational expenses; dependent child care; and travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars, as long is it does not exceed 10 percent of the fellowship. However, funds may not be used for extended field research. Dissertation fellows are not required to study in the U.S.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
  • American Fellowships are open to scholars who identify as women in all fields of study.
  • The American Dissertation Fellowship must be used for the final year of writing the dissertation. Applicants must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, and had the dissertation research proposal or plan approved by November 1, 2020. The doctoral degree/dissertation must be completed between April 1 and June 30, 2022. Degree conferral must be between April 1 and September 15, 2022.
  • Dissertation Fellows are not required to study in the U.S.
  • Students already holding a fellowship or grant for the purpose of supporting their final year of writing or completing the dissertation the year before the fellowship year are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants may apply up to two times for a fellowship for the same dissertation project.
  • The fellowship is intended for applicants who are completing their first doctoral degree.
  • Distance learning/online programs: American Fellowships support traditional classroom-based courses of study. This fellowship program does not provide funding for distance learning programs or for degrees heavily dependent on distance learning components. Final decisions about what constitutes distance learning under these fellowships will be made by AAUW.  AAUW will accept applications from applicants who are temporarily studying remotely due to COVID-19 precautions at their institution.

Students already holding a fellowship or grant for the purpose of supporting their final year of writing or completing the dissertation the year before the fellowship year are not eligible to apply.

Award amount

$20,000.

Award period

One (1) year.

Application deadline

November 1, 2020.

Learn more

Visit the AAUW website at https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/american/dissertation-fellowships/.

Last updated: July 2021.