[American Association of University Women](https://www.aauw.org)

October 2026

$25,000 stipend for one year; disbursed in two equal payments

Supports women scholars in the final year of dissertation writing, with an emphasis on academic excellence and advancing diversity in academia.

--- ## Description The American Dissertation Fellowship, offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), provides financial support to women scholars in the final year of their doctoral dissertation writing. Established in 1888, this fellowship is the oldest non-institutional graduate funding source for women in the U.S. Its primary goal is to offset living and educational expenses, enabling recipients to focus exclusively on completing their dissertations. While open to all fields, the program particularly encourages applicants in STEM disciplines or those researching gender issues. Selection is based on scholarly excellence, originality of research, and commitment to advancing women and girls in academia. --- ## Due Dates - Application submission deadline (anticipated): October 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Each fellowship provides a $25,000 stipend for one academic year. - Funds are disbursed in two equal payments: one at the beginning and one at the midpoint of the fellowship term. - Funds may be used for tuition, fees, required books and supplies, housing, food, childcare, and other living expenses. - Prohibited uses include research equipment, research assistants, prior debts, publication costs, institutional overhead, and tuition for dependents or additional coursework. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must identify as women. - Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. - Must be completing their first doctoral degree at an accredited U.S. institution or an eligible international institution. - Must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, and have an approved dissertation proposal by the application deadline. - Must plan to work full-time on dissertation writing from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. - Not eligible: AAUW employees, board members, review panelists, their immediate families, previous national AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (except Community Action Grants or local awards), or applicants for another national AAUW fellowship/grant in the same year. - Cannot be working on a master’s degree during the fellowship year. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted through the [AAUW Fellowships & Grants Application Portal](https://aauw.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new). - Required materials: - Narrative application - Two letters of recommendation (one from dissertation advisor) - Proof of highest degree earned - Official transcripts (highest degree and current doctoral program) - Dissertation Certification Form (signed by institutional officer) - All application materials must be complete and accurate at submission; incomplete or incorrect applications will not be reviewed. - No edits or additional documentation are allowed after submission. --- ## Additional Information - Fellows are required to devote 100% of their working time to dissertation completion. - Part-time employment is permitted if it does not interfere with dissertation progress; full-time employment is only allowed during summer, and must end or reduce to part-time by September 1. - Fellowship funds may be considered taxable income; recipients are responsible for their own tax obligations. - Awardees must complete all acceptance procedures and reporting requirements (interim and final reports). --- ## External Links - [Program Page: American Dissertation Fellowship](https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/american-dissertation-fellowship-program/) - [Application Portal](https://aauw.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new) - [Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Instructions-to-Create-Account-in-AAUW-Applicant-Portal.pdf) - [Federal Student Aid Participating Schools List](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/international/l/participating-schools/t/_new) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries| [Contact AAUW](https://www.aauw.org/contact-us/) | | Awards Team | [awards@aauw.org](mailto:awards@aauw.org) | | Phone | 202.785.7700 |

American Dissertation Fellowship - American Association of University Women

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