AAUW Grants: Up to $10K for Women-Led Impact
AAUW International Project Grants provide up to $10,000 to AAUW International Fellowship alumnae leading community-based projects that advance gender equity for women and girls in their home countries. Applicants must identify as women, be non-U.S. citizens, and serve as the project’s primary director.
This guide covers everything you need to know about AAUW International Project Grants:
- What Are AAUW International Project Grants?
- AAUW International Project Grants Eligibility
- What Does an AAUW Grant Fund?
- AAUW International Project Grants Application Process
- How to Write a Strong AAUW Grant Proposal
- AAUW International Project Grants Deadline and Funding Amount
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- AAUW Programs and Other Funding Opportunities
- How American Grant Association Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are AAUW International Project Grants?
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has offered fellowships and grants to support women’s advancement since 1888. International Project Grants are one part of that broader system of AAUW funding, but they serve a narrower purpose than AAUW’s fellowships: rather than funding graduate study, they fund community-based projects carried out by women who have already completed an AAUW International Fellowship.
According to AAUW’s official program page, the grants “foster lasting impact by supporting International Fellowship alumnae who return to their home countries to lead community-based initiatives,” applying their academic expertise toward projects that advance gender equity and improve conditions for women and girls.
AAUW International Project Grants Eligibility
AAUW grant eligibility for this program is specific and non-negotiable. Based on current official AAUW guidelines, eligible applicants must:
- Identify as a woman
- Completed an AAUW International Fellowship (June 2011–June 2026)
- Be the primary project director
- Be a non-U.S. citizen without U.S. permanent residency
- Reside in and implement the project in your home country
Current AAUW Board members, AAUW employees and consultants, current AAUW review panelists, and their immediate families are disqualified from applying. Alumnae who did not complete their fellowship program or fellowship reporting are also ineligible.
What Does an AAUW Grant Fund?
International Project Grants support charitable, community-based initiatives that advance the social and economic empowerment of women and girls. Per AAUW’s guidelines, funded projects can span virtually any field, provided the project’s core aim is advancing gender equity. Past alumnae-led initiatives have ranged from securing property rights for widows to building safer working conditions for women in agricultural production, concrete, community-rooted work rather than research or academic activity.
Grant funds cannot cover certain costs. AAUW’s current prohibited-expense list includes:
- Construction, renovation, or infrastructure projects
- Fundraising activities
- Grants passed on to other organizations or individuals
- Payments or reimbursements to the applicant personally
- Repayment of prior expenses or loans
- Political campaigns, lobbying, or voter registration activity
- Salaries of any kind
- Scholarships or tuition payments
Capital equipment purchases (laptops, cameras, lab equipment, and similar durable items) are generally discouraged and only permitted with clear justification and a plan for donating the equipment after the project ends.
AAUW International Project Grants Application Process
Applicants must complete the entire application through AAUW’s online Fellowships & Grants portal, without preparing or uploading a separate project proposal document. The current application cycle runs from August 17, 2026, through September 30, 2026, with award notifications issued in March 2027 and funds disbursed starting July 2027.
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Milestone
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Date
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Application submission period
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August 17 – September 30, 2026
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Award notification
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March 2027
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First installment disbursed
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By July 31, 2027
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Interim report
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Midpoint of grant term
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Second installment disbursed
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Within 30 days of interim report
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Final report
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End of grant term
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AAUW strictly enforces this application deadline; late materials are not accepted under any circumstances. The grant period itself is flexible within limits of projects must start between July 1 and September 30, 2027, and run no longer than 12 months.
The application form requires a project proposal narrative, a supporting project budget, and a resume or CV. Applicants should address each of the following components directly within the online form:
- Abstract: A short summary of the project, objectives, and expected outcomes
- Community Context & Need: The local context and evidence supporting the need
- Project Description: Goals, activities, and target outcomes
- Leadership & Community Engagement: How stakeholders will be involved
- Project Timeline: Key milestones over the grant period
- Sustainability Plan: How outcomes will continue after the grant ends
- Monitoring & Evaluation: How Outcomes Will Be Assessed and Communicated
The budget must be itemized with a written justification for each line item, and any significant change to an approved budget requires AAUW’s prior written approval. AAUW’s current guidelines also permit applicants to use generative AI as an assistive tool in preparing their narrative, provided the final application reflects the applicant’s own voice, experience, and analysis.
How to Write a Strong AAUW Grant Proposal
AAUW’s published selection criteria give useful direction for proposal development. Reviewers an independent panel of nonprofit leaders, business professionals, and AAUW alumnae look for:
Step 1: Align Your Proposal With AAUW's Mission
Clearly demonstrate how your proposed project supports AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls.
Step 2: Demonstrate a Documented Local Need
Explain the specific need your project addresses and support your case with relevant data, research, or input from the community you intend to serve.
Step 3: Connect Goals, Activities, and Outcomes
Create a logical connection between your project goals, planned activities, and expected outcomes so reviewers can understand how your approach will produce meaningful results.
Step 4: Demonstrate Your Implementation Capacity
Show that your organization has the relevant experience, skills, partnerships, and resources needed to realistically carry out the proposed project.
Step 5: Develop a Reasonable Budget
Prepare a detailed and well-justified budget that matches the scope of your project and clearly explains how requested funds will support proposed activities.
Step 6: Create a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Explain how you will measure progress and results, evaluate the project’s effectiveness, and share outcomes with relevant stakeholders.
Step 7: Demonstrate Commitment to Women's Advancement
Show how your organization and proposed project contribute to women’s economic and social advancement through specific activities and measurable outcomes.
Step 8: Highlight Creative Problem-Solving
Present innovative or creative approaches to addressing the identified need when relevant. Innovation is valuable but is not necessarily required for a strong proposal. Grant community support can provide feedback and shared perspectives that help you refine how your approach addresses the identified need.
A strong project proposal treats these as a checklist: every claim about impact should trace back to a specific activity and a measurable outcome, and the budget should visibly support the plan rather than existing as a separate document.
AAUW International Project Grants Deadline and Funding Amount
The grant amount is capped at up to $10,000 per award; AAUW reserves the right to adjust the final amount based on its review of the proposed budget. Funds are released in two equal installments, the first at the start of the grant period, the second at the project’s midpoint, contingent on a satisfactory interim report. The Grant Is Awarded Once and Cannot Be Renewed.
The current AAUW International Project Grants deadline is September 30, 2026, for projects beginning between July 2027 and September 2027. Deadlines shift by funding cycle, so applicants should always verify the current AAUW International Project Grants deadline on AAUW’s official program page before beginning an application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without confirming current fellowship-alumna eligibility
- Assuming eligibility based on gender or nationality alone
- Requesting funds for prohibited expenses like salaries or construction
- Submitting a vague community-need section without supporting evidence
- Leaving the budget narrative disconnected from the project plan
- Missing the required resume/CV upload
- Waiting until close to September 30 to start the application
- Assuming the grant is renewable for future cycles
Avoiding these issues can help you submit a more complete and well-prepared application. For broader guidance on identifying and preventing common application errors, see our guide on Common Mistakes in Grant Applications and How to Prevent Them.
AAUW Programs and Other Funding Opportunities
International Project Grants sit within AAUW’s broader system of fellowships and grants, which also includes American Fellowships and Career Development Grants. These have different eligibility rules. Most other AAUW fellowships fund degree study, not post-fellowship community projects. Applicants unsure which program fits should verify current guidance on AAUW’s Fellowships & Grants page rather than assuming eligibility carries over.
How American Grant Association Can Help
Preparing an AAUW grant application can involve several steps, including understanding eligibility, finding relevant opportunities, developing a clear project plan, and preparing supporting materials. American Grant Association can provide practical guidance throughout the grant-seeking process, including:
- Grant Research Services: Identify relevant funding opportunities, deadlines, and requirements.
- Grant Matching Services: Assess potential alignment between your project and available grants.
- Grant Resource Guidance Services: Provide direction on grant resources, application requirements, and preparation.
- Grant Community Support Services: Offer ongoing guidance and a place to ask questions throughout the process.
- Complete Grant Support: Coordinate research, planning, and application preparation when broader assistance is needed.
- Long-Term Grant Strategy: Help develop a consistent approach to identifying and pursuing future funding opportunities.
The goal is to make the grant process more organized and understandable. These services do not influence AAUW’s decisions or guarantee funding; they simply support better preparation and clearer applications.
Conclusion
AAUW International Project Grants offer meaningful funding up to $10,000 for International Fellowship alumnae ready to turn their training into community impact. Because eligibility is restricted to alumnae who meet specific citizenship, residency, and reporting requirements, confirming eligibility should always be the first step, well before drafting a proposal. From there, a strong application comes down to a clearly documented need, a realistic project plan, and a budget that matches the work described. Given how strictly AAUW enforces its deadline, applicants should start early and verify every detail such as funding amount, deadline, and requirements against AAUW’s current official program page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are AAUW International Project Grants?
Grants of up to $10,000 for AAUW International Fellowship alumnae leading community-based projects that advance gender equity for women and girls in their home country.
Who can apply for AAUW International Project Grants?
Only women who completed an AAUW International Fellowship (generally between June 2011 and June 2026), fulfilled all fellowship reporting, and are non-U.S. citizens without U.S. permanent residency.
What is the AAUW International Project Grants deadline?
The current cycle runs August 17 – September 30, 2026. Deadlines change by cycle, so verify the current date on AAUW’s official site before applying.
What is the AAUW International Project Grants amount?
Up to $10,000, disbursed in two installments, with the final amount subject to AAUW’s budget review.
What does an AAUW grant fund?
Community-based projects advancing gender equity and the economic empowerment of women and girls, in nearly any field. It cannot fund salaries, construction, tuition, or personal reimbursements.
How do I apply for an AAUW grant?
Through AAUW’s online Fellowships & Grants application portal, no separate proposal document is required or accepted.
Can I renew my AAUW International Project Grant?
No. It is a one-time, non-renewable award.
Who receives AAUW grants?
Recipients are selected by an independent AAUW review panel based on published selection criteria, including mission alignment, need, feasibility, and evaluation planning. AAUW does not publish individual recipient details as part of its general program materials.
