Career Development Grants for Women in Underrepresented Fields (United States)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The AAUW Career Development Grants provide up to $8,000 to eligible women in the United States pursuing accredited certificate or training programs that can lead to career advancement in fields where women are underrepresented. The program supports women entering, transitioning into, or advancing in areas such as STEM, engineering, technology, business, finance, law, and emerging technical trades. What Are AAUW Career Development Grants? The Career Development Grants are offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to promote gender equity in education and employment. The programme is designed for women who want to: Enter a profession where women are underrepresented. Advance into leadership or executive-level positions. Strengthen their qualifications for employment or career progression. Funding is specifically intended for short-term, accredited certificate or training programs that provide a clear pathway toward professional advancement or employment. How Much Funding Is Available? Each successful applicant can receive up to $8,000. The grant is intended to cover eligible costs associated with the approved certificate or training programme. The full grant amount is disbursed at the beginning of the grant term or when the programme starts. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the programme’s personal, educational, geographic, and programme requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

Identify as women. Hold at least an associate’s degree or higher. Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Reside in an eligible U.S. jurisdiction. Be enrolled in or accepted to an eligible accredited certificate or training programme, or meet the requirements for leadership-development training. Pursue training connected to a field where women are underrepresented. Begin the eligible programme between January 1, 2027, and June 30, 2027. The Career Development Grants focus on professional areas where women represent less than 50% of the workforce or senior leadership positions, depending on the applicable field and programme requirements. The objective is to help women obtain qualifications that can improve their participation and advancement in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Which Fields Are Eligible? The programme supports a broad range of professional and technical fields. The programme can also support qualifying training in areas such as: Business Finance Law Leadership development Executive-level professional development Emerging Technical and Applied Trades The programme also recognizes emerging technical and applied trades where women remain underrepresented. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed training connects directly to career development and advancement. What Training Programmes Are Supported? The grant is intended for short-term certificate or training programmes, rather than general education without a direct career-development purpose.

An eligible programme should:

Be offered by an accredited or appropriately licensed institution. Provide professional or technical training. Lead toward an industry-recognized certification or qualification where applicable. Directly prepare the applicant for employment or advancement. Begin during the eligible January–June 2027 programme window. Who Can Apply for Leadership Development Training? The programme can also support women who are already working in an underrepresented field and want to pursue executive-level or leadership development training. This pathway is particularly relevant to applicants seeking to: Move into management. Qualify for senior leadership positions. Strengthen executive skills. Increase professional responsibility. Advance within a technical or professional field. What Can the Grant Be Used For? Funding is intended for expenses directly connected to the eligible certificate or training programme. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between the requested support and their professional development goals. The grant should be used for eligible programme-related costs rather than unrelated personal expenses. Why Do Career Development Grants Matter? Women continue to face barriers to entering and advancing in some technical, professional, and leadership fields. The AAUW Career Development Grants address this gap by providing financial support at a point where additional certification or specialized training can make a meaningful difference.

The programme can help recipients:

Obtain specialized qualifications. Enter new professional fields. Develop technical skills. Increase employment opportunities. Move into leadership roles. Improve career competitiveness.

Participate in industries where women are underrepresented

How to Apply for an AAUW Career Development Grant Applicants should approach the application as a career-development proposal rather than simply a request for educational funding.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

Identify as a woman. Hold an associate’s degree or higher. Meet the U.S. citizenship or residency requirements. Are pursuing an eligible programme or leadership-development opportunity. Meet the programme start-date requirement.

Step 2: Identify an Eligible Training Programme

Confirm that the certificate or training programme is offered by an accredited or licensed institution. The programme should provide skills or credentials that directly support your intended career pathway.

Step 3: Demonstrate Career Relevance

Clearly explain:

What career you are pursuing. Why women are underrepresented in that field. What skills the programme will provide. How the training will improve your employment or advancement prospects. How the grant will help you achieve your professional goals.

Step 4: Prepare Your Financial Information

Identify the costs associated with the eligible programme and explain how the requested funding will support your participation.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to AAUW’s c