The American Association of University Women's American Fellowships program has been in existence since 1888, making it the oldest noninstitutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The purpose of the Dissertation Fellowship is to offset a scholar’s living expenses while she completes her dissertation.

Eligibility

• American Fellowships are not open to previous recipients of any AAUW national fellowship or grant (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants). Members and officers of the AAUW Board of Directors are not eligible to apply for fellowships and grant awards. AAUW staff or volunteers with decision-making authority who wish to apply for an award must recuse themselves from the decision-making process.
• American Fellowship candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• American Fellowships are open to women scholars in all fields of study.
• The American Dissertation Fellowship must be used for the final year of writing the dissertation. Applicants must have completed all coursework, passed all preliminary exams, and had the dissertation research proposal or plan approved by November 1, 2018. The doctoral degree/dissertation must be completed between April 1 and June 30, 2020. Degree conferral must be between April 1 and September 15, 2020.
• Dissertation Fellows are not required to study in the U.S.
• Students already holding a fellowship or grant for the purpose of supporting their final year of writing or completing the dissertation the year before the fellowship year are not eligible to apply.