AAUW’s Career Development Grants focus especially on emerging tech and science-driven industries, and AAUW holds a particular interest in programs that lead to tangible employment outcomes or advancement within 6-12 months.
Donor Name: American Association of University Women
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/30/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Career Development Grants champion gender equity in education and workplaces by investing up to $8,000 in women pursuing a certificate, credential, or training program needed to enter, transition into, or advance within high-demand STEM fields in which they are underrepresented.
Career Development Grants are awarded with the expectation that grantees will use the funds to pursue a certificate, credential or training program in a high-growth STEM field, where women are underrepresented. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, required course materials (e.g., books and supplies), transportation assistance and dependent care.
Funding Information
The award ceiling for Career Development Grants is $8,000.
Eligible Fields
Applicants must pursue an accredited certificate, credential or training program with a minimum of 400 instructional hours, in a high-growth STEM field, where women are underrepresented. This includes areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that show strong labor market demand and ongoing gender disparities in participation or leadership. Examples of eligible fields include but are not limited to:
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Grants are available for a range of engineering disciplines, such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, geotechnical and mechanical engineering.
- Mathematics
- Grants are available for a range of math disciplines, including applied mathematics, statistics and actuarial science.
- Natural & Physical Science
- Grants are available for a range of science disciplines, including agricultural science, biology, biomedical science, chemistry, geology, earth and environmental science, materials science, and physics.
- Technology
- Grants are available for a range of technological disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, computer engineering, computer science, data analytics, robotics and software development.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must identify as a woman.
- Applicants must be:
- Accepted or enrolled in a certificate, credential or training program in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce; OR
- Currently employed in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce, if pursuing executive leadership or management training.
- Certificate, credential, or training programs must include a minimum of 400 instructional hours.
- Programs must be offered by accredited or licensed institutions and lead to professional advancement or employment in the applicant’s chosen field.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants whose accredited certificate, credential or training programs directly prepare them for industry-recognized certification may receive priority consideration, depending on the strength of their application and alignment with program goals.
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Selection Criteria
- The certificate, credential or training program sought is in a high-growth STEM field, in which projected occupational growth is 5% or more over the next 8-10 years, and where women are underrepresented, and comprise less than 50% of the workforce.
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear and purposeful trajectory toward or within a career in a high-growth STEM field where women are underrepresented. This may be reflected through professional experience, pursuit of skill-building opportunities, career-related goals, mentorship or leadership activities, or overcoming significant barriers in their educational or career journey. Traditional academic achievements are welcome but are not required.
- Applicant demonstrates a commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities or professions.
- Feasibility of applicants’ ability to complete their certificate, credential, or training program based on sufficient time, financial resources, and other support.
- Applicants who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming life challenges beyond their control, such as socioeconomic status, discrimination, limited academic resources or opportunities or other adverse circumstances (Preferred).
- Applicants who hail from single parent households (Preferred).
For more information, visit AAUW.
