20 Fellowships for Women Leaders and Scientists

In a world where women continue to break barriers and drive transformative change, these fellowships offer vital opportunities to advance your career and amplify your impact. Whether you’re an emerging innovator in STEM, a seasoned researcher, or a future leader in fields like journalism, law, public service, or social entrepreneurship, these programs provide funding, mentorship, and networking resources designed to empower you to excel. Through these fellowships for women leaders and scientists, these opportunities enhance your skills, build a strong professional network, and help shape a more equitable and inclusive future.

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1. AAWPI National Civic Impact Fellowship & Incubator Program

This fellowship, offered by the Asian American Women’s Political Initiative, aims to elevate Asian American and Pacific Islander women at all stages of the political pipeline. The five-month program for AAPI women 22-29 years old funds civic impact projects (up to $10,000) led by young AAPI women aimed to create social change and equity for AAPI communities. The fellowship offers leadership development, mentorship, and training while Fellows implement their projects.

2. AAUW American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships

Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships provide $50,000 to assist women scholars in obtaining tenure and other promotions by enabling them to spend a year pursuing independent research. The fellowship aims to boost the number of women in tenure-track faculty roles and advance gender equity in higher education. This fellowship supports candidates in securing tenure and further career promotions by allowing them to dedicate a year to independent research. It is open to applicants from all disciplines, particularly those in science, technology, engineering, math, or gender research. Tenured professors are not eligible for this fellowship.

3. Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

The Humboldt Professorship enables the holder to conduct forward-thinking, long-term research at universities and research institutions in Germany. It makes a sustainable contribution to Germany’s ability to compete internationally as a location for research. The Foundation is keen to award more Alexander von Humboldt Professorships to women academics. The fellowship also focuses on Artificial Intelligence. German universities may submit nominations for exceptionally qualified world leaders in their fields who are established as academics abroad and would be eligible to be appointed to a professorship in Germany. The award amount totals €5 million for five years.

4. blackcomputeHER Fellows Program

The blackcomputeHER Fellows Program is a cohort-based leadership development program designed to cultivate Black women leaders in computing and tech. The fellows program offers 12 months of intensive development that begins at the yearly blackcomputeHER conference. Fellows will participate in professional workshops led by senior tech professionals and executives, and they will be able to form dynamic, long-term connections with an intimate cohort of professionals. To be eligible to participate in the Fellows program, participants must be Black women pursuing advanced studies or a career in a computing discipline.

5. Carol Emmott Fellowship

The Fellowship offers a 14-month self-guided program for women professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential in health and wish to increase leadership competencies, gain hands-on experience, and work with exceptional mentors. Each fellow is paired with two hand-selected mentors who are nationally recognized senior health leaders. Each fellow receives an honorarium to help cover desired professional development enrichment experiences. Additionally, fellows attend four sponsored onsite events that provide a framework for the program. Candidates are nominated by their sponsoring organization; qualified nominees are invited to apply.

6. Generation Google Scholarship (APAC)

The Generation Google Scholarship: for women in computer science was established to help students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $2,500 for one academic year. The Scholarship will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated leadership, and academic performance. Eligible applicants identify as women and must be currently enrolled as full-time second or third-year undergraduate students in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field at an accredited university in Asia Pacific.

7. Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship

The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship gives academic and professional opportunities to women journalists who focus on covering human rights and social justice. Fellows can complete research and coursework at MIT’s Center for International Studies and participate in internships with media outlets, including The Boston Globe and The New York Times. The Fellowship is open to women journalists worldwide working in print, broadcast, and/or Internet-based media, including freelancers. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience working full-time in news media. A fixed monthly stipend will cover housing, meals, and ground transportation during the fellowship.

8. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Growth Fellowship

The Growth Fellowship is a prestigious event for select graduates of the 10,000 Women program. Successful applicants will be invited to the Goldman Sachs offices in New York and Washington, D.C., to participate in an intensive four-day program of customized training, coaching, and advice sessions with senior leaders and experts from Goldman Sachs and other partners of the 10,000 Women program. An ongoing three-month virtual coaching program will follow this. Eligible Growth Fellow applicants must first graduate from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women online business education course. The Growth Fellowship is an in-person event, travel restrictions permitting.

9. Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) National Fellowships Program

Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) is proud to offer fellowships to help increase knowledge in the sciences and encourage women to pursue research careers. GWIS Fellowships are awarded to women of outstanding ability and promise, holding or seeking a degree from a recognized institution of higher education, who are performing hypothesis-driven research in the U.S. or abroad. A maximum of $10,000 may be requested to purchase supplies and equipment, defray the travel costs associated with field study and collaborative projects, and support the research findings’ publication.

10. HOPE Binational Fellowship

The HOPE Binational Fellowship is an executive leadership program for outstanding Latina professionals who, through increased competence in national and global economic and security issues, can make urgent and long-lasting improvements in the lives of Latinos nationally and globally. The fellowship’s goals are to immerse Fellows in the best research and analyses on critical national and global economic and security issues, Create relationships between Fellows and national and international leaders who will serve as resources in their future endeavors, and Strengthen Fellows’ policy ideas, strategic thinking, and leadership style to maximize impact as a national and global leader.

11. IPBO Open Doors Fellowship Program

The Open Doors Program for post-doctoral and mid-career women researchers in agricultural research in African international research centers stands out for its unique approach to retaining and advancing scientific talent. The program addresses the critical stage where researchers may leave the scientific pipeline by tailoring training to their specific needs, ensuring a supportive and empowering learning environment. Structured in two phases, Phase 1 offers a fully-funded research stage in Belgium (1-4 months). It enables fellows to expand their networks and skills in well-equipped labs, fostering North-South and South-South collaborations. Phase 2 empowers fellows upon return to Africa with a customizable 16-month training curriculum, including cross-cultural communication, project management, and scientific proposal writing courses. Additionally, the program enhances fellows’ scientific visibility through training in communication and financial support for attending conferences and publishing research.

12. L’Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science

The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program annually awards five postdoctoral scientists with $60,000 grants each, recognizing their impactful contributions to STEM fields and dedication to inspiring future generations. As part of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Fellowships program, the U.S. initiative marks its twentieth year, supporting 100 women scientists with over $5 million in grants. Managed in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the program fosters diversity in STEM by attracting top talent from leading U.S. academic institutions and laboratories. Applicants must have completed their PhD and begun postdoctoral research, demonstrating a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge while serving as role models for aspiring female scientists.

13. North America Leadership Journey

The North America Leadership Journey is a fully funded 12-month program for talented women leaders in global health that provides a safe space to explore their authentic leadership through vulnerability and reflection, an inclusive and diverse network that fosters a strong sense of belonging, and tools and strategies for enhancing their voice, presence, and influence—all while being supported by a powerful group of peers, mentors, and coaches. Two simultaneous cohorts support 60 exceptional women leaders who will participate in separate and joint events throughout the year. The approximate time commitment is 4-8 hours each month, and all program costs, including travel and lodging, are covered.

14. Running Start Congressional Fellowship

Each spring and fall, eight Running Start Congressional Fellows are selected through a highly competitive application process. Running Start is nonpartisan and looks for applicants from the political spectrum for this program. Fellows intern for a female member of Congress Monday through Thursday, and each Friday, they are trained by political experts in Running Start’s office and then mentored by high-level political mentors. Fellows live together in a house on Capitol Hill, free of charge, and are provided with a $1,000 stipend and an all-expenses-paid week in Washington, DC.

15. TechWomen

TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East with their professional counterparts in the United States for a mentorship and exchange program. TechWomen provides participants access to networks, resources, and knowledge to empower them to reach their full potential. During the five-week program, participants participate in project-based mentorships at leading companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley and in professional development workshops. Applicants must be women with at least two years of full-time professional experience in the STEM fields and eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa.

Read our interview with TechWomen Fellow Amanda Obidike to see the impact this experience can have on you!

16. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program is a nationwide competition for women entrepreneurs. Each Fellow will participate in a one-year program that includes mentoring, networking, and business guidance for one year, a $5,000 grant to further their business education, and a 5-day trip to New York City to the Tory Burch headquarters that will include the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition. The winner of the pitch competition will receive a $100,000 grant investment. Your company must be registered and operated in the United States.

17. Vital Voices Global Fellowship

The Vital Voices Global Fellowship brings together women leaders worldwide and across sectors to build skills and capacity, foster a collaborative network, and exchange ideas. In the inaugural year, Vital Voices offers programming across two pillars – social entrepreneurship and political leadership. Fellows will engage in focused learning on sector-specific skills and knowledge with changemakers relevant to their industries. Through the fellowship, Vital Voices also aims to create opportunities for cross-issue collaboration and harness the collective creative potential of women leaders working on critical challenges disproportionately affecting women and girls.

18. Women’s International Study Center (WISC) Fellowships

The Women’s International Study Center (WISC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, inspires and enables women to achieve their goals through residence, creating new projects, and engaging with the community through public presentations. Residencies are typically four weeks long, although shorter and longer options are possible. Writers, artists, scholars, scientists, professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. WISC seeks proposals aligned with our focus areas – the arts, sciences, cultural preservation, business, and philanthropy. All projects must be relevant to the interests and experiences of women.

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