Application

How to Apply for the AAUW International Fellowship: Portal, Documents, Order of Work

One online application, two recommendation letters, six document types and a written narrative. Incomplete applications are not considered, so the order you do things in matters more than speed.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 3 min read Updated Oct 6, 2026

Incomplete means rejected

AAUW’s help centre states that “incomplete applications will not be considered”. A missing recommendation letter or an untranslated diploma at 5:00pm ET on closing day ends the application. Plan to finish several days early.

The application in six steps

1
Before the window
Confirm eligibility and field
Check the eight gates on Eligibility and your programme on STEM Fields.
2
Day one of the window
Create your portal account
AAUW publishes a short PDF on creating an account in the Fellowships & Grants Application Portal.
3
Same day
Register your two recommenders
Use their professional email addresses. The system emails them a request; they upload directly. See Recommendations.
4
Week 1–2
Upload documents
Degree proof, transcripts, GPA proof, English evidence, admission letter and any certified translations.
5
Week 2–3
Write the narrative and the financial plan
Write to the scored criteria: five for master’s, six for doctorates. See Narrative Essays.
6
At least 3 days before close
Check both letters are in, then submit
For 2027–28 the deadline was 17 September 2026, 5:00pm ET.

Document tracker

From the official page and the AAUW help-centre article on International Fellowship requirements. Tick items as you go; nothing is saved.

Proof of every degree — diplomas or degree certificates, or official transcripts showing conferral
Official transcripts from every degree-granting institution, listing courses and grades
GPA proof — cumulative 3.5/4.0 shown on the transcript, or a conversion (Scholaro tool or WES/ECE/NACES report)
English evidence — TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, DET 120, Cambridge 176, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, or an exemption document
Admission letter or enrolment verification showing the start date (and deferral approval if relevant)
Certified translation of your highest degree if it is not in English (translations of other non-English documents too)
Two recommendation letters, submitted by the recommenders through the portal
Narrative answers and financial plan in the portal
GWI membership proof — only if you will study outside both the U.S. and your home country

Progress: 0% (0 of 9)

Translations and credential reports

All non-English materials need an English translation. For your highest earned degree, the translation must be certified. If your grades are not on a 4.0 scale, you provide the conversion: AAUW accepts a GPA calculator output such as Scholaro’s, or a credential evaluation from WES, ECE or another NACES member with a detailed grade breakdown. A report that only states a final equivalency, without the course detail, may not be enough.

Listing programmes

You may list up to five programmes and institutions where you are admitted or enrolled. If you win, you must enrol in one of them — switching to an unlisted programme disqualifies you. All of them must be in the same field and at the same degree level. If the title on your admission letter differs from the field you select (Ecology vs Environmental Biology, for example), explain the difference in the application.

Studying outside the U.S.

The programme is built around U.S. study, but the official page adds that “a limited number of awards are available for study in any country other than their own”. If you study outside both the U.S. and your home country you must submit proof of membership of Graduate Women International (GWI) — unless your country is on the U.S. travel-ban list and you cannot obtain a U.S. student visa as a result. The FAQ lists those countries. If you study in the U.S. and do up to six months of fieldwork abroad, you do not need GWI membership.

Fee and help

The official page does not mention any application fee. Never pay an agent to apply on your behalf. AAUW runs a recorded information session that walks through eligibility, the application process and selection; it is worth watching once before you start.

What happens after you submit

Timeline →

Review panels of scholars and experts in STEM fields score the criteria for your level. Preferential criteria may be applied only where merit is comparable. Decisions arrive in March. If you win, you file tax forms (W-8BEN or W-9), receive the first instalment between July and September, and report in December and by 31 July of the following year.