Submit Applications for International Project Grants

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

AAUW International Project Grants provide up to $10,000 to women who previously received an AAUW International Fellowship and are leading community-based projects that advance gender equity in their home countries. The grants support charitable initiatives that improve the social and economic well-being of women and girls, particularly underserved and at-risk communities. What Are AAUW International Project Grants? The AAUW International Project Grants program supports alumnae of the AAUW International Fellowship program who want to use their education, professional expertise, and leadership experience to create positive change in their communities. The program focuses on gender equity, women’s empowerment, community development, and sustainable social impact. Supported projects should address a clearly identified community need and provide practical benefits to women and girls. Examples may include initiatives that: Community-level changes resulting from the project.

6. Submit the Application

Complete the required AAUW application materials and provide accurate information about the applicant, project, budget, beneficiaries, and expected outcomes. Applicants should carefully review the current application instructions before submission because requirements and deadlines may change between grant cycles. Tips for a Strong Application Applicants can strengthen their proposals by following these principles:

Define one clear problem: Avoid trying to solve too many unrelated issues.

Show local relevance: Explain why the problem matters in the target community.

Use your expertise: Demonstrate how your International Fellowship experience prepares you to lead the project.

Focus on women and girls: Clearly connect every major activity to gender equity.

Create measurable objectives: Use realistic and trackable outcomes.

Keep the budget realistic: Every major expense should support a proposed activity.

Prioritize underserved groups: Explain how the project will reach women who face greater barriers.

Plan for sustainability: Describe what can continue after the grant ends.

Demonstrate community participation: Show how local stakeholders and beneficiaries will contribute to the project.

Maintain financial accountability: Plan carefully for the dedicated project account and required reporting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing projects unrelated to gender equity. Failing to demonstrate a specific community need. Applying without meeting the International Fellowship alumna requirement. Using grant funds for activities outside the approved charitable purpose. Providing an unrealistic or poorly explained budget. Describing activities without measurable outcomes. Treating the project as an individual professional development activity rather than a community initiative. Failing to explain who will benefit and how. Ignoring sustainability after the grant period. Examples of Potential Project Ideas A qualifying project could potentially focus on areas such as: A women’s entrepreneurship and income-generation program. Legal awareness and property-rights support for widows. A safe workspace initiative for women producers. Skills development for economically disadvantaged women. Community leadership training for women. Support services for women facing social or economic exclusion. A locally led initiative improving women’s access to economic resources. The exact eligibility of any proposed project should be assessed against the current AAUW grant guidelines. Frequently Asked Questions What is the AAUW International Project Grant? It is a grant program for eligible AAUW International Fellowship alumnae who want to implement charitable, community-based projects that advance gender equity and improve the lives of women and girls in their home countries. How much funding can an applicant receive? An eligible project can receive up to $10,000. How is the grant paid? The grant is provided in two equal installments. The first payment is made at the beginning of the grant period, while the second is provided at the midpoint subject to satisfactory progress and required reporting. Who can apply for an International Project Grant? Applicants must identify as women, have completed an eligible AAUW International Fellowship between June 2011 and June 2026, serve as the primary project director, and meet the program’s non-U.S. citizenship and residency requirements. Can a U.S. citizen apply? No. Applicants must be non-U.S. citizens and must not hold or be applying for U.S. permanent residency. Where must the project be implemented? The project should generally be implemented in the applicant’s home country. Implementation elsewhere may be considered when extenuating circumstances apply. What types of projects does the grant support? The program supports charitable, community-based projects that advance gender equity and the social or economic empowerment of women and girls. Projects may address issues such as women’s economic opportunities, property rights, safe workplaces, and support for underserved communities. Conclusion The AAUW International Project Grants program gives International Fellowship alumnae an opportunity to turn their academic experience and leadership skills into practical community impact. With grants of up to $10,000, the program supports locally driven initiatives that advance gender equality and improve social and economic opportunities for women and girls. For prospective applicants, the strongest proposals should combine a clearly defined community need, a practical gender-equity solution, measurable outcomes, a realistic budget, and a credible plan for sustainable impact.