by Gudrun Hutchins
Did you know that National AAUW typically funds approximately $6 million in Fellowships and Grants each year? This makes AAUW one of the largest educational funding sources not associated with a university or government entity. And it funds only women or non-profits that provide services for women and girls.
Where does this money come from? It is the income from well over $100 million in money raised and given to AAUW by members since its founding. This money is tied up in individual endowments and cannot be used for any other purpose than Fellowships and Grants to benefit women. Some of the named endowments honor past AAUW leaders, such as past presidents of large states, and were accumulated over a period of years. A number of fairly wealthy AAUW members have left money to AAUW in their wills designated for their favorite endowment. Before our branch started to sponsor and fund-raise for its own local scholarships in 2007, we also gave yearly gifts to AAUW endowments.
A number of years ago there was a separate entity – The AAUW Educational Foundation – that collected and invested these endowments. At the present time, this entity no longer exists. However, all grants are still very competitive and recipients are chosen by award panels consisting of AAUW members and university professors proficient in the particular subject matter of the Fellowship or Award. The proposal selection committees serve without pay and typically each proposal is evaluated and ranked by three women for suitability and funding need.
I have served as a member of award panels evaluating funding proposals in Physics and Chemistry in the early 1990’s. It was very difficult to select the best three or four proposals out of possibly 25 or 30 submissions (all by women) and then to defend my choices to the other two women evaluating the same proposals for funding. At the time of my service, the selection committee still received all proposals on paper. After a lot of work to select our ranked choices, we met in Washington at AAUW headquarters and selected our top choices and several alternates for the specific subject matter we were reviewing.
At this time the entire selection process is performed on-line on a separate portion of theAAUW website not open to the membership. However, there is a complete searchable data base of past fellowship and grant recipients on the AAUW website. Our own branch received a two-year community action grant for creating an after-school science club for 8th and 9th grade girls in Bennington. I will write a separate newsletter article on this “Eureka Project” at a future time.
CURRENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
American Fellowships $8,000 to $50,000
This program began in 1888, a time when women were discouraged from pursuing an education. It is the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The program supports women to write their doctoral dissertation, conduct postdoctoral research or prepare research for publication.
Career Development Grants $2000 to $20,000
These 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, and math (STEM). Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first degree or credential in nontraditional fields.
Community Action Grants $3000 to $10,000
Community Action Grants provide funding to individuals, AAUW branches and state organization, and community-based nonprofits for innovative programs that advance education for women and girls.
International Fellowships $20,000 to $50,000
International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate studies at U.S. institutions are supported. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the application deadline.
International Project Grants $5,000 to $7,000
To create lasting support around the globe, AAUW awards grants to International Fellowship alumnae who have returned home after successfully completing the course of study for which they received funding. They allow alumnae to build on their academic work and implement community-based projects that will improve the lives of women and girls.
Research Publication Grants in Engineering, Medicine, and Science $10,000 – $35,000
These grants are open to women scholars conducting basic research in engineering, medicine, or the physical or biological sciences and who have a doctorate degree in one of those fields. The grantee must publish their research in a scholarly publication and be listed as the primary author.
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