International Scholarships for Women

In celebration of International Women's Day, here’s a look at some of the dedicated scholarships for women available around the world…

The continued under-representation of women in many fields, and particularly at the highest levels, underlies many of the scholarships for women offered by institutions and organizations around the world.

Of course, just being a woman won’t get you a scholarship. Scholarships for women come with all kinds of criteria, including academic performance, sporting achievement, leadership skills, affiliation to a particular culture or community, age, or being part of a minority group. Examples of some of the most prominent providers of international scholarships for women are listed below.

American Association of University Women (AAUW)

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers seven different types of grants and fellowships for women. These include American Fellowships for women scholars who are US citizens or permanent residents; International Fellowships for women from other countries who want to study in the US; and Selected Professions Fellowships to support women in the US pursuing a master’s degree in the fields of architecture, computer science, engineering and mathematics.

The Schlumberger Foundation

The non-profit Schlumberger Foundation provides support for women in science and technology education. Its flagship Faculty for the Future program awards fellowships to women who are from developing and emerging economies, for PhD or postdoctoral studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at universities worldwide. Recipients are selected based on both scientific talent and leadership potential, with grant amounts decided based on an assessment of costs involved, up to US$50,000 per year.

More scholarships for women to study male-dominated STEM subjects can be found here.

PEO International

Established in 1869, the US-based PEO International runs six projects dedicated to helping women further their education. The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund provides international scholarships for women from outside of the US and Canada hoping to pursue graduate-level studies in one of those two countries. The PEO Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants of up to US$3,000 for women in the US and Canada whose educational path has been interrupted for various reasons. And the PEO STAR Scholarship and PEO Scholar Awards provide scholarships for women applying to study at undergraduate and doctoral levels respectively.

Margaret McNamara Education Grants

The Margaret McNamara Education Grants offer scholarships for women aged 25 or over who are studying in the US, Canada, or select universities in South Africa and Latin America. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of women and children, and be from a country designated as a “lower or middle income developing member country” (full list here).

Zonta International

Working to promote the rights, wellbeing and professional status of women worldwide, Zonta International offers two scholarship programs. The Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship awards a series of annual scholarships for women studying business management at undergraduate or master’s level. Recipients must be members of the Zonta club, with scholarships worth US$2,000 at district/region level and US$8,000 at international level. The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is for women studying at PhD level in the aerospace field. This scheme awards 30 fellowships each year to women around the world, worth US$10,000 each, which can be used to support doctoral studies at any university or college.

Women Techmakers Scholars Program

Google’s Women Techmakers Scholars Program scheme awards scholarships to women studying in the field of computer science and technology at undergraduate or graduate level. Scholarships are worth around US$10,000 and are awarded across the globe, with applicants assessed on their academic and leadership background. In addition to financial support, successful applicants are also invited to one of Google’s major regional offices for a special ‘retreat’, including workshops, speakers, networking and social activities.

L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme

The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme awards five international fellowships worth £15,000 each year to women pursuing postdoctoral research in the life sciences at any UK or Irish university or research institute. The aim is to help young researchers widen their expertise, by spending time at a leading research center outside of their own country.

1000 Dreams Scholarship Fund

Awarded by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the 100 Dreams Scholarship Fund provides one-time financial assistance of up to US$1,000 to women currently attending high school or university who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship can’t be used to fund tuition or ongoing living costs, and is instead intended for providing access to educational opportunities, for example by funding the cost of textbooks, exam fees or education conferences.

This article was originally published in March 2014. It was last updated in March 2019.

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