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International Project Grants

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

AAUW International Project Grants support community-based initiatives led by AAUW International Fellowship Alumnae to advance gender equity for women and girls in their home countries.

Provider
AAUW
Host country
Multiple
Deadline
Not available — check official website
Region
Multiple

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

International Project Grants is open to African students applying to study in Multiple at the Alumnae level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply
Alumnae · applicants for Multiple
Funding
Partial
Study level
Alumnae
Deadline
Not available — check official website

Key eligibility criteria

  • Applicants must be identifying as a woman, an AAUW International Fellowship alumna, reside and implement the project in their home country, and be the primary project director. Must be non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

About the International Project Grants (2026)

## Overview The AAUW International Project Grants are designed to empower alumnae of the AAUW International Fellowship program to lead community-based initiatives that promote gender equity for women and girls in their home countries. These grants provide financial support, with an award ceiling of $10,000, to enable alumnae to apply their academic expertise and leadership skills to create direct and positive impacts. The grant term for successful projects runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This initiative highlights AAUW's commitment to fostering global leadership and impactful community engagement among its accomplished alumnae. ## Benefits The primary benefit of the International Project Grant is financial support, with an award ceiling of $10,000, to implement community-based projects. This funding allows alumnae to: * Translate their academic knowledge into tangible, impactful projects. * Address specific gender equity needs within their home communities. * Strengthen their leadership capabilities through project directorship. * Contribute to a global network of women advocating for social change. Grant funds must be maintained in an account dedicated solely to project purposes. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the AAUW International Project Grants, applicants must meet the following criteria: * **Gender Identity:** Applicants must be or identify as a woman. * **AAUW Alumna Status:** Applicants must be an AAUW International Fellowship alumna who has successfully completed the academic program for which they received a fellowship and fulfilled all related reporting requirements by June 30th of the application year. * **Residency and Project Location:** Applicants must reside in their home country and implement the proposed project within that country for the entire grant period. * **Project Leadership:** Applicants must serve as the primary project director, maintaining full control over all programmatic, budgetary, administrative, and editorial decisions. * **Citizenship & Immigration Status:** Grant recipients must be non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. **Disqualifying Factors:** The following individuals are not eligible for consideration: * Members of the AAUW Board of Directors. * AAUW employees (paid or unpaid, part-time, temporary, consultants, interns, contract employees). * Review Panelists. * Immediate families (spouses and dependent children) of the above-mentioned individuals. * AAUW International Fellows who did not successfully complete their academic program or failed to submit required reporting. * Previous AAUW International Project Grant recipients. ## Required Documents Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application package that includes: * **Narrative Project Proposal:** This detailed proposal must include: * Abstract * Rationale (Need Statement) * Description of Community * Project Description * Community Partners * Project Evaluation * **Project Budget:** An accurate, itemized budget for the proposed project, accompanied by a budget narrative. **Prohibited Costs:** Grant funds cannot be used for: * Salaries or stipends for the project director or other staff. * Influencing legislation or election outcomes. * Carrying out voter registration drives. * Financing fundraising activities. * Making grants to individuals or other organizations. * Paying for tuition or providing educational scholarships. * Renovating infrastructure or initiating building projects. ## How to Apply The application process for the International Project Grants is managed through the International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) portal. Follow these steps to apply: 1. **Review Eligibility:** Carefully read the eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify. 2. **Access Application:** Click the "Apply Now" button on the official page to access the ISTS application portal. You will need to create an ISTS account. If a program key is requested, use: `AAUW-IPG`. 3. **Follow Instructions:** Adhere to the instructions provided in the Applicant Guide. For any application-related inquiries or technical issues, contact AAUW@applyists.com or call (866) 795-4892. ## Key Dates * **Grant Application Submission Period:** September 16, 2024 – November 22, 2024 * **Grant Award Status Notification:** April 15, 2025 * **Disbursement of Grant Funds:** July 2025 * **Grant Term:** July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 * **Interim Project Report (if applicable):** December 15, 2025 * **Grant Impact Reports Due:** July 31, 2026 ## Selection Criteria Applications are reviewed by panels of distinguished scholars and experts. The selection process evaluates proposals based on: * **Alignment with Mission:** Clear alignment of the project with advancing equity for women and girls, demonstrating a direct and positive impact on these groups. * **Project Rationale:** Strength of the project rationale, showing that it addresses a demonstrable local need. * **Project Design:** A clear project design with specific target outcomes, proposed activities, and outputs logically connected to the project's goals. * **Community Participation:** Reflection of how community/stakeholder participation is considered in the project's design. * **Alumna Capacity & Feasibility:** Demonstrated capacity of the alumna to deliver quality programming and meet established goals within a feasible timeframe and budget, reflecting stakeholder participation. * **Learning and Evaluation:** Commitment to learning and evaluation, including monitoring/evaluation methods to assess project outcomes and plans for sharing results and learnings with stakeholders and communities. ## Tips * **Thoroughly review the eligibility criteria** before starting your application to ensure you meet all requirements. * **Craft a compelling project proposal** that clearly articulates the need, design, and expected impact of your initiative. * **Develop a detailed and accurate budget** with a clear narrative to justify all expenses. * **Highlight community involvement** in your project design, demonstrating how stakeholders will participate and benefit. * **Emphasize your capacity** as an alumna to lead and execute the project effectively, drawing on your academic background and leadership skills. * **Plan for robust monitoring and evaluation** to demonstrate the impact of your project and facilitate learning. * **Submit your application well before the deadline** to avoid any last-minute technical issues. ## Official Source For complete and official information regarding the AAUW International Project Grants, please refer to the official program page: [https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/](https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/)

International Project Grants eligibility for Multiple applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Applicants must be identifying as a woman, an AAUW International Fellowship alumna, reside and implement the project in their home country, and be the primary project director. Must be non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Documents required for the International Project Grants application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the International Project Grants 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility on the official site

    Open https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be identifying as a woman, an AAUW International Fellowship alumna, reside and implement the project in their home country, and be the primary project director. Must be non-U.S. citizens or permanent resi…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.

  2. 2
    Secure a study place or admission offer

    Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.

  3. 3
    Sit required tests and gather documents

    Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.

  4. 4
    Draft your essays and statements

    Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.

  5. 5
    Complete the online application

    Create an account on https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.

  6. 6
    Submit by Not available — check official website (aim 7 days early)

    Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

  7. 7
    Prepare for shortlist interviews

    If shortlisted, AAUW will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

International Project Grants deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Editorial verification note

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Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the International Project Grants?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Alumnae level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by AAUW, and be able to relocate to the host country for the duration of the programme.

Is the International Project Grants fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Not available — check official website. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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