American Association of University Women STEM Grants in Louisiana

American Association of University Women STEM Grants in Louisiana is sponsored by American Association of University Women (AAUW). AAUW provides funding to Louisiana nonprofits and educational institutions offering STEM programs for girls in grades K–12.

* Explore the IssuesExplore the Issues Sub-menu * Get EmpoweredGet Empowered Sub-menu * Take ActionTake Action Sub-menu FacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedIn * EducationEducation Sub-menu * Economic SecurityEconomic Security Sub-menu * Social Justice & Civil RightsSocial Justice & Civil Rights Sub-menu ### Social Justice & Civil Rights * Find Educational Funding Work Smart & Start Smart Salary Negotiation Training Money Smart: Financial Literacy Two-Minute Activist Ways to Support ### Social Justice & Civil Rights * Find Educational Funding Work Smart & Start Smart Salary Negotiation Training Money Smart: Financial Literacy Two-Minute Activist Ways to Support FacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedIn # Career Development Grants [](https://www.

aauw.

org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/career-development-grants/)Toggle Page Navigation Menu Jump to EligibilityJump to Selection Process & TimelineJump to How to ApplyJump to Policies & ResourcesJump to FAQ Career Development Grants champion gender equity in education and workplaces by investing up to $8,000 in women pursuing a certificate or training program needed to enter, transition into, or advance within fields where they are underrepresented, including but not limited to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and career pathways.

Grants fund short-term, accredited programs. AAUW also welcomes applications from women in any field in which women are underrepresented _at the leadership level_, (e.g., business, law, or STEM fields), who are currently employed and seek executive-level or leadership development training to advance into decision-making roles. The Career Development Grant is open to both new applicants and AAUW alumnae.

Watch an information session The award ceiling for Career Development Grants is $8,000. Grant funds are payable to grantees only and are disbursed in full, at the beginning of the grant term or at the start of the program, as appropriate.

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited certificate or training program that prepares them for a field in which women represent less than 50% of the workforce or hold fewer than 50% of senior leadership positions. AAUW encourages applications from women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as other areas that show ongoing gender gaps in participation or leadership.

Examples of eligible fields include but are not limited to: * Grants are available for a range of engineering disciplines, such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental,geotechnical, and mechanical engineering.

* Executive Leadership or Management Training * Grants are available for eligible women in business,law,and STEM, as well as in other fields in which women are disproportionately represented at leadership levels at a national,regiona l,or local level. * Grants are available for a range of math disciplines, including applied mathematics,statistics, and actuarial science.

* Natural & Physical Science * Grants are available for a range of science disciplines, including agricultural science, biology, biomedical science, chemistry, geology, earth and environmental science, materials science, and physics.

* Grants are available for a range of technological disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, computer engineering, computer science, data analytics,robotics, and software development.

* Other Underrepresented Fields * AAUW also welcomes a pplications from women pursuing certificates or trainin g in other areas – such as business, finance, law,and emerging technical or applied trades–where women are underrepresented either overall or in leadership roles. Applicants should demonstrate that women hold less than 50% representation in their field or in senior positions. * Applicants must identify as a woman.

* Have applied or been accepted to a certificate or training program in a field where women are underrepresented and comprise less than 50% of the workforce; OR * Currently employed in a field where women comprise less than 50% of senior leadership positions if pursuing executive leadership or management training. * Program start date must fall between January 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027.

* Programs must be offered by accredited or licensed institutions and lead to professional advancement or employment in the applicant’s chosen field. * Applicants must hold a t least an associate’s degree or higher.

* Applicants whose accredited certificate or training programs directly prepare them for industry-recognized certification may receive priority consideration, depending on the strength of their application and alignment with program goals. * AAUW Alumnae applying for this award must have adhered to all program requirements during their award year and submitted their final report to AAUW.

* Citizenship & Immigration Status * Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents from the 50 States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other territory of the United States.

The following are not eligible for consideration: * Current members of the AAUW Board of Directors * Employees of AAUW, including paid or unpaid, part-time or temporary employees, consultants, interns and contract employees * Current AAUW Review Panelists * Immediate families (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of individuals described in the points above * Applicants for another national AAUW fellowship or grant, in the same year * Previous AAUW Career Development Grant recipients * Previous national AAUW fellowship or grant recipients (excluding Community Action Grants or branch or local AAUW awards) * Applicants who are recommended for an award, however, whose certificate, credential or training program is different than envisioned at the time of application, will be disqualified * Career Development Grants cannot be used for a post-baccalaureate program, degree program (ex.

master’s degree) or for completing a certificate within a degree program (ex. Certificate completed as part of master’s degree coursework), or to cover exam expenses. Applicants may use generative AI tools to support and enhance the preparation of their application narratives.

However, generative AI should be used as an assistive resource — not as a substitute for the applicant’s own ideas, experiences, analysis, or writing. Application narratives should reflect the applicant’s authentic voice and original work. * **Career Commitment and Trajectory:** Applicants must demonstrate a clear and purposeful commitment to entering, transitioning into, or advancing within a field where women are underrepresented.

This may be reflected through a combination of professional experience, pursuit of skill-building opportunities, career-related goals, mentorship or leadership activities, or overcoming significant barriers in their educational or career journey. Traditional academic achievements are welcome but are not required.

* **Alignment with Women’s Underrepresentation:** The proposed career development opportunity supports advancement in a field, occupation, specialization, or leadership pathway in which women are underrepresented and constitute less than 50 percent of the workforce or relevant professional population. Applicants should provide appropriate supporting data or documentation demonstrating this underrepresentation.

* **Strength and Feasibility of the Career Development Plan:** A clear, realistic, and achievable plan for completing the proposed career development opportunity and applying the knowledge, skills, credentials, or professional connections gained to advance the applicant’s career objectives.

The plan should account for the time, funding, institutional or employer support, and other resources needed for successful participation and completion.

* **Demonstrated Commitment to Women and Girls:** A demonstrated commitment to advancing opportunities or equity for women and girls, supported by specific examples appropriate to the applicant’s experience and career stage, such as leadership, mentorship, advocacy, community service, professional engagement, or research.

### **Preferential Criteria** When applicants demonstrate comparable overall merit, preference may be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria: * **Resilience in Overcoming Significant Challenges:** Provides specific examples of navigating circumstances beyond their control such as financial hardship, discrimination, limited access to academic resources or opportunities, caregiving responsibilities, displacement, disability-related barriers, or other adverse circumstances and explains how they sustained their academic or professional progress despite these challenges.

* **First-Generation College Graduate:** Is the first person in their immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree. * **Single-Parent Household:** Was raised in a single-parent household or currently leads a single-parent household. * **Applicants with Caregiving Responsibilities:** An applicant who is pregnant or has ongoing responsibility for caring for a minor child or an adult who cannot care for themselves.

This includes parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, foster or adoptive parents, stepparents, unmarried coparents, and other family members serving as caregivers. ## Selection Process & Timeline Applications are reviewed and awarded bi-annually on a competitive, rolling basis. This means that once an application is submitted, it will be considered during the next available review round.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible. Awards are granted based on eligibility, alignment with program goals, and availability of funds. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis based on recommendations by AAUW’s review panels and funds available in a given fiscal year.

Applications are reviewed as submitted, and it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to confirm that all materials are accurate and complete prior to submission. Incomplete applications will be considered at the discretion of AAUW. For step-by-step guidance on completing your application, refer to the **Application Instructions**.

## Application Requirements A l l applicants are required to submit the following with their applicat ion: * _Proof of Degree: Copy of highest degree earned OR official transcript showing conferral of degree and date of conferral for highest degree. _ _(Required)_ * Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to at least a U.S. associate’s degree.

* Applicants must upload a copy of their diploma/degree certificate OR official transcript showing conferral of degree and date of conferral for their highest degree earned.

* Applicants with an equivalent of at least an associate’s degree (particularly if the transcript or degree certification does not explicitly state it is a associate’s degree) must provide an official explanation from the academic institution or governing body or submit a credential evaluation report form service like WES or ECE that clarifies the equivalency of your qualification to an associate’s degree or higher.

* The document provided must correspond to the program and institution listed in the application and must include the applicant’s full name, the institution name, and the degree conferred. * If the original is not in English, applicants are required to submit certified translation.

* If an applicant holds two degrees at the same level, such as two associate’s degrees or two bachelor’s degrees, the most recently awarded degree will be considered the highest. * _Transcript:_ Transcript confirming conferral of highest degrees received. _Official transcripts are highly encouraged.

(Required)_ * Applicants must upload a copy of their academic transcript for their highest degree earned. * The transcript provided must correspond to the program and institution listed in the application. * The transcript must include the applicant’s full name, the institution’s name, the degree conferred, the list of courses taken, and grades received.

The transcript must also include the name of coursework and grades from transfer courses, if applicable. If the transcript reflects transfer courses without grades, then a transcript from the institution where courses were taken is required. * If a transcript is not written in English, a certified translation must be provided by applicant.

* Applicants who studied at an institution that does not provide a transcript, or a list of courses taken,and grades received, or the degree did not require coursework,must provide an institutional letter affirming the same as well as the degree completion date.

* If an applicant holds two degrees at the same level, such as two associate’s degrees or two bachelor’s degrees, the most recently awarded degree will be considered the highest. * _Proof of Underrepresentation(Required)_ * Applicants must demonstrate that women are underrepresented in their proposed field or profession and describe how completion of their program of study will contribute to reducing that underrepresentation.

Responses must be supported by current data from reputable sources. Include hyperlinks or brief citations for all data and statistics referenced. Appropriate sources include U.S. federal or state agencies, professional associations, accrediting organizations, or other recognized research organizations.

Career Development Grants are awarded with the expectation that grantees will use the funds to pursue a certificate,credential,or training program in a field where women are underrepresented. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees,required course materials (e.g., books and supplies), transportation assistance, and dependent care.

Grant funds may be considered taxable income, depending on how they are used and the recipient’s individual circumstances. In many cases, funds used for purposes of non-tuition-related costs or living expenses are subject to taxation under U.S. tax law. It is the grantee’s responsibility to understand and fulfill any tax obligations associated with their award.

AAUW does not provide tax advice, issue tax forms, or report grants to the IRS. Grantees are strongly encouraged to consult a personal tax advisor or the IRS for guidance specific to their situation. ## Changes to Applicants’ Program or Area of Study Applicants recommended for an award, but whose field of study or program is different than envisioned at the time of application will be disqualified.

### Eligibility and Application Guidelines **Can I apply if I am pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree? ** No. AAUW’s Career Development Grant is only for applicants who are enrolling in a certificate or training program. **Can I apply if the certificate is a part of my bachelor’s,master’s,or professional degree curriculum?

** No. AAUW’s Career Development Grant is only for applicants who are enrolling in a certificate or training program that is not part of a formal degree program. **Can the grant be applied to post-bachelorette programs? ** No, the grant cannot be applied to post-bachelorette programs.

**Can the grant be applied to graduate certificates? ** Yes, the grant can be applied to graduate certificates. **Can the grant be applied to licensing exams?

** No, AAUW’s Career Development Grant cannot be applied to licensing exams or exam prep courses. **Can I apply if I am pursuing a certificate program that is not in a STEM field? ** Yes.

T he Career Development Grant is available to applicants pursuing a certificate or train ing program in any field where women are underrepresented or make up less than 50% of the workforce at a national,regional or local level. **I have applied or been admitted to several programs but have not yet decided which one to pursue. Can I list more than one program in my application?

** Yes. Applicants may list up to five programs and institutions in their application. However, please note that if you are awarded a grant, you must enroll in one of the programs and institutions listed in your application.

If you choose to pursue a program at an institution not included in your application, you will be disqualified from receiving the grant. **Am I eligible for the Career Development Grant if I haven’t received an offer of admission to a specific program? ** Yes.

You must have applied or been admitted to at least one certificate or training program at the time of application. **Do I need to pursue my program full-time? ** No. You may be enrolled in your program either part-time or full-time.

**Do I need to be currently employed in the field? ** Only applicants pursuing executive leadership or management training are required to be currently employed in their field. All other applicants are not required to have current employment in their chosen field.

**Do I need to have completed a n associate’s degree? ** Yes. You must have completed at least an associate’s degree at the time of application.

**Can I receive the award more than once? ** No, the AAUW Career Development Grant is a one-time award for both new awardees and AAUW alumnae. **What forms of proof of degree are eligible for the application?

** Eligible forms of proof of degree include: * A copy or image of your diploma * An official transcript which shows the degree conferred and date of conferral * An official letter written and signed the institution register’s office which includes the applicant’s full name, the degree conferred and date of conferral, * Official certificate from National Student Clearinghouse **Can I use my AAUW award to pay for multiple certificates or training programs?

** No, the AAUW Career Development Grant can only be used to cover the cost and expenses for of one certificate or training program. If your program consists of multiple courses, please list the overall name of the program on your application (do not list individual course names) to avoid confusion. **What types of expenses are considered prohibited under the Career Development Grants?

** Under the Career Development Grants, certain expenses are classified as prohibited and therefore may not be covered using fellowship funds. These include: * Previous expenditures,deficits,or repayment of personal loans * Institutional (overhead) costs * Tuition for dependents’ education Thank you for subscribing! 1310 L St.

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