GWIS National Fellowship Program promotes knowledge in the natural and social sciences and supports the academic and professional careers of women in science. Endowment funds, mostly generated from bequests, provide an annual income that supports scientific research conducted by GWIS scholarship winners.
| Minimum Required Qualification | A bachelor’s degree |
| Deadline | January 12, 2026, at 5:00:00 pm Eastern Time. |
| Nationality | Any |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Value | $10,000 maximum |
| Age limit | No restriction |
| Eligible Fields | STEM, Life Science, and related social sciences. |
About the Graduate Women in Science (GWIS)
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) is an international organization founded in 1921, dedicated to promoting and supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). GWIS provides fellowships, networking opportunities, and professional development resources to empower women scientists worldwide.
GWIS National Fellowship Program
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS), formerly known as Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science (SDE-GWIS), is an international organization for women in science, first founded in 1921 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, United States. GWIS is a nonprofit organization working to connect, lead, and empower women in science. It does so by offering grants, awards, and scholarships; developing a strong international network of female scientists; holding annual conferences and sponsoring other meetings and symposia; publishing a free monthly newsletter, and promoting the participation and representation of women in science-related events. Membership is open to anyone, regardless of gender, who has at least a bachelor’s degree in a science field. Wikipedia
Expenses covered by the GWIS National Fellowship Program
You can claim up to US$10,000. Entries over $10,000 USD will be automatically disqualified. The GWIS National Fellowship Program grant can be used for:
- Consumables supplies
- Small instruments for personal use (not for general use)
- Publication of research results
- Travel and living expenses while conducting field research
- Travel studies to another laboratory for collaborative research
- Student Assistant (up to 1/3 of the total amount requested)
- Research Participant Compensation
Eligibility for the GWIS National Fellowship Program:
- GWIS National Fellowship Award is presented to women who have attained a recognized degree from an institution of higher education, have demonstrated outstanding research skills and perspectives, and have conducted hypothesis-driven research at institutions in the United States or abroad.
- Anyone who identifies as a woman in science can apply, regardless of race, religion, nationality, ideology, national origin, sexual orientation, or age.
- When evaluating proposals, the candidate’s career level (eg, graduate student to assistant professor) is taken into account.
- GWIS membership is required by the application deadline (click here to join). Please note that membership approvals may take up to 48 hours to process. If you want to become a GWIS member, please do so as soon as possible.
- Research funding financial requirements are a prerequisite for application. Projects already fully funded by other institutions or organizations are not eligible.
- Applicants should identify all pending sources in their application for the evaluator to consider these factors when assessing the financial need of the project. Whenever an applicant accepts another award before being notified of the GWIS Fellowship Program decision, the applicant must notify the program immediately at Fellowships@gwis.org.
*GWIS strives to empower community representatives of all women in STEM, Life Science, and related social sciences.
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Deadline to Apply for GWIS National Fellowship Program
The application must be received no later than the closing date and time of Monday, January 12, 2026, by 5:00:00 PM Eastern Time.
Application Requirement
- Applications submitted with missing information will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified. If the proposal does not meet the guidelines, GWIS may not accept the application or may return it without review.
- Each applicant may submit only one application. Duplicate applications will result in disqualification.
- If the proposal does not meet the guidelines, GWIS may not accept the application or may return it without review.
- Project description: The description must be sufficient to allow a reviewer familiar with the general field of the work to evaluate the underlying primary hypothesis and the methods to be used in the experimental approach. Descriptions should include (in no particular order):
- a testable hypothesis,
- specific objectives,
- relevance of the project to the applicant’s field of study,
- a broad overview of the experimental techniques and methods to be used (including innovative approaches),
- a brief description of the background and preliminary data,
- Expected results, their interpretation, and potential problems.
- Letters of recommendation: Two letters are required, one from an advisor or department head and one from another qualified to evaluate the applicant’s ability to conduct the proposed research. Each letter should be no more than two pages with the institution’s letterhead and an electronic signature if possible.
- Additional documentation: Approval or collection of animal/human subject permits. If human or animal subjects are used, the work must be evaluated by an in-house animal committee, and the committee’s approval must be included in the application.
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GWIS National Fellowship Program Application Process
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) uses an online website to conduct the National Fellowship Program’s annual selection process. All application materials, including letters of recommendation, are submitted using the online application portal (link given below).
To begin the process, select the button “ Sign Up”. All users, including first-time and returning applicants, will be required to create an account on the application portal. Once you’ve created and logged in to your account, you can begin the application process by creating an online profile. Start by selecting the Create Profile button to get started.
GWIS National Fellowship Program
FAQs
Is the GWIS Fellowship fully funded?
It is a research grant, not a full scholarship. It covers research-related expenses only.
Who can apply?
Women engaged in scientific research at the graduate or postdoctoral level.
Can international students apply?
Yes, the fellowship is open globally.
Do I need membership?
Yes, GWIS membership is required before applying.
How competitive is the fellowship?
It is competitive and based on research quality and impact.
Final Thoughts
The GWIS Fellowship Program is a valuable funding opportunity for women pursuing scientific research. While it does not cover full educational costs, it plays a crucial role in supporting research innovation and advancing careers in STEM fields.
For women scientists looking to fund their research projects and gain international recognition, this fellowship is a highly recommended opportunity.
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