Top Scholarships for Women in STEM Studying Abroad 2026
Women in STEM can access USD 5,000–40,000+ annual scholarships including Schlumberger, AAUW, Google Scholarships, and country-specific awards. Learn how to apply.
▶ Free College Predictor & study-abroad toolsTop Global Scholarships for Women in STEM
Schlumberger Foundation's Faculty for the Future (up to USD 35,000/year for masters in STEM, focuses on developing-world women), AAUW International Fellowships (USD 20,000–30,000 for master's in STEM for non-US citizens), Google Scholarship for Women in Engineering/Computer Science (USD 10,000–20,000, open to all countries), Anita Borg Institute Scholarship (USD 5,000–15,000 for women undergraduates/postgrads in computing), and Microsoft TEALS Scholarship (USD 10,000–25,000 for women in data science/cloud engineering) are globally recognized. Country-specific examples: UK (British Council–STEM Scholarships, fully funded), Canada (Canada Foundation for Innovation Women in STEM), Australia (Women in STEM Grants, AUD 10,000–20,000). All require excellent grades (GPA 3.5+), strong Statement of Purpose, and letters of reference. Most deadline in February–April for September intake.
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future
Award: USD 35,000 per year (covers tuition + living stipend). Eligibility: women from developing countries pursuing master's in STEM (engineering, geosciences, math, physics, technology). No citizenship requirement; applicants must intend to return to home country or work for global development. 100+ awards annually, highly competitive. Application: online portal, requires transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS, 3 references, personal essay. Deadline: typically March 31. Awardees also get mentorship from Schlumberger mentors. Strong candidates: Indian women in petroleum engineering, civil engineering, environmental science with 3.5+ GPA and clear development goals.
AAUW International Fellowships: Master's & Doctorate
Award: USD 20,000 (M.A.); USD 25,000–30,000 (Ph.D.); varies by country. Eligibility: women from any country (except USA, Canada for this specific fellowship) pursuing graduate STEM. US universities only. 50+ awards annually. Application: online system, requires transcripts (converted to US GPA), TOEFL/IELTS, 3 references, Statement of Purpose, CV. Deadline: December 1 for the following academic year. Candidates are evaluated on academic merit + likelihood of significant contribution to women in STEM globally. STEM focus includes engineering, physical sciences, math, computer science.
Google Scholarship for Women in Engineering/Tech
Award: USD 10,000–20,000 per year (renewable for up to 4 years of undergrad, 2 years postgrad). Eligibility: women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, computer science, or related tech fields globally. 500+ scholarships annually. Application: online via Google's official scholarship portal, requires GPA 3.5+, TOEFL/IELTS (for international), 2 references, essay on why you are pursuing tech, and diversity statement. Deadline: varies by region but typically April–June. Strong candidates: women in CS, EE, CE with demonstrated coding projects, hackathon wins, or internship experience. Google has regional preferences; check localizations for India, Southeast Asia, Europe.
Region-Specific & University-Based Awards
UK: British Council STEM Scholarships (fully funded master's for developing-world applicants, USD 40,000+/year), University of Cambridge Cambridge Trust (women scientists, varies by college). Canada: Canada Foundation for Innovation Women in STEM (CAD 10,000+), University of Toronto International Excellence Scholarship (women in engineering). Australia: Women in STEM Grants (AUD 10,000–20,000, all universities), Australian National University Diversity Scholarship (all degrees, women prioritized). USA: MIT Graduate Fellowship for Women (fully funded PhD in STEM), Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars (needs-based, women encouraged). Always check university-specific awards; many are easier to win than international schemes because they have fewer applicants.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Timeline
August–September: Identify 5–10 scholarships matching your degree/country. September–October: Prepare documents (transcripts, TOEFL, GRE/GMAT if required, CV, Statement of Purpose—draft 3–4 versions tailored to each scholarship). November–January: Get strong reference letters from professors/mentors (ask 6+ weeks in advance). February–April: Submit applications (track each deadline in a spreadsheet to avoid missing deadlines). May–July: Attend interviews if shortlisted (prepare story of your STEM journey, why you chose this field, post-study plans). August–September: Enroll with scholarship confirmation. Most scholarships have 8–12 month decision cycles; submit early (2–3 weeks before deadline) to stand out.
What Makes a Winning STEM Scholarship Application
1) Strong academics: 3.5+ GPA, consistent improvement over time. 2) Clear narrative: why STEM, which sub-field, impact you intend to create (e.g., 'I want to develop solar tech for rural electrification'). 3) Demonstrated commitment: research projects, hackathons, internships, publications, volunteer work in STEM. 4) Letters of reference: from professors/mentors who know your technical abilities, not just character. 5) Language proficiency: TOEFL 100+/IELTS 7.0+ shows you can succeed in English-speaking universities. 6) Diversity angle: how your background (woman, first-generation, developing country, minority) adds diversity to the program. Avoid generic essays; funders reject 'I love science'—they want 'I designed X, learned Y, now I want to solve Z.'
Maximize Your Chances: Scholarship Strategy
Apply to at least 10 scholarships simultaneously (August–April). Mix reach (Schlumberger, AAUW), target (Google, university-based), and safety (smaller regional awards) scholarships. Some women win 2–3 scholarships and must decline—that is normal. If first-round rejections come, analyze feedback, improve your Statement, retarget, and reapply next year. Many scholarships allow re-applications; persistence pays. Network with scholarship recipients; their insights on winning applications are invaluable. Free STEM scholarship databases, essay templates, and interview prep guides are available on LandingPrep to help you craft competitive applications.