In today’s fast-paced tech world, scholarships are no longer just financial aids, they’re keys to unlocking global careers for women in STEM. Whether you’re passionate about engineering, data science, biotech, or computer programming, countless organizations are eager to support your academic dreams. From tech giants like Google and Microsoft to global non-profits and regional initiatives, women-focused STEM scholarships in 2026 offer life-changing opportunities. But with so many options, finding the right scholarship can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to the top women in STEM scholarships available this year. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate student, or professional returning to education, this list covers it all – including global awards, Africa-specific scholarships, and company-sponsored grants. Ready to fund your future in STEM?
Let’s dive into the best opportunities waiting for you in 2026!
Best Global Scholarships for Women in STEM Fields (2026 Updated List)
Breaking into STEM as a woman can be challenging, but several prestigious scholarships aim to level the playing field for future innovators. Here are the best global STEM scholarships for women 2026, open to candidates worldwide and backed by renowned organizations.
AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers fellowships to women from all countries pursuing graduate or postgraduate studies in the U.S. These awards support women who show outstanding academic promise and leadership skills, especially in STEM disciplines.
- Award Amount: $20,000–$50,000
- Application Opens: August 2025
TechWomen Emerging Leaders Program
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, TechWomen offers mentorship programs, networking, and professional exchange opportunities for women in STEM from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
- Application Focus: Professional mentorship, not direct financial aid
- Program Starts: Spring 2026
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship
This fellowship by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports women pursuing master’s degrees in nuclear science and technology, a typically male-dominated field. It includes tuition coverage and internship placements.
- Award Amount: Up to €20,000 tuition + €20,000 living expenses
- Application Opens: Early 2026
UNESCO-TWAS Fellowships for Women Scientists in Developing Countries
This program offers PhD and postdoctoral fellowships for women scientists from developing countries working in natural sciences, engineering, and technology. It emphasizes research excellence and building local scientific capacity.
- Award Amount: Fully funded (tuition, living stipend, travel)
- Application Opens: Throughout 2026
Undergraduate STEM Scholarships for Women in Technology and Science Degrees
Starting your STEM journey at the undergraduate level? Many companies and organizations are investing in young female talent through scholarships that cover tuition, mentorship, and even internship opportunities. Below are the top undergraduate STEM scholarships for women 2026, specifically designed to support tech-focused degrees like computer science, engineering, and data analytics.
Adobe Women-in-Technology Scholarship
This scholarship targets undergraduate women in computer science, computer engineering, and closely related fields. In addition to financial support, winners often receive mentoring opportunities, and possible internship offers with Adobe.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Application Opens: Fall 2025
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
Open to undergraduate women pursuing ABET-accredited engineering, technology, or computer science degrees. The SWE scholarships are well-known for their diverse options and high award amounts.
- Award Amount: $1,000–$15,000
- Application Opens: March 2026
Microsoft Women in STEM Scholarship
Designed for undergraduate women passionate about technology, this scholarship offers financial assistance along with mentorship by professionals working at Microsoft.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Application Opens: Winter 2026
Google Women Techmakers Scholars Program
Also known as the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, this program focuses on women pursuing computer science and related degrees. It offers financial awards, professional development resources, and community-building opportunities.
- Award Amount: $10,000 (U.S.) or €7,000 (Europe)
- Application Opens: Early 2026
Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship
Ideal for undergraduate women majoring in computer science, software engineering, or technical STEM fields. Winners receive financial support and are invited to attend workshops and networking sessions with Palantir engineers.
- Award Amount: $7,000
- Application Opens: Spring 2026
Graduate and Postgraduate Scholarships for Women in Science and Engineering
If you’re pursuing a master’s or PhD in science, engineering, or technology, specialized funding opportunities are available to help you advance your education without financial stress. Below are the most reputable graduate STEM scholarships for women 2026, supporting advanced research and leadership development worldwide.
Amelia Earhart Fellowship (Zonta International)
Focused on women earning a PhD in aerospace sciences or engineering, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship recognizes academic excellence and supports women aiming for leadership in the space and aviation sectors.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Applications Open: July 2025
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship
This program funds women from developing countries pursuing PhD or postdoctoral studies in STEM fields. It’s designed to develop future women faculty leaders in science and engineering disciplines.
- Award Amount: Up to $50,000 per year
- Applications Open: September 2025
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (Asian Development Bank)
Aimed at women from ADB’s developing member countries, this scholarship supports graduate studies in science, engineering, and technology fields at partner universities in Asia and the Pacific.
- Award Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, airfare
- Applications Open: January 2026
FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
For women pursuing graduate degrees in finance-related STEM fields (such as financial engineering, data science, or fintech). Though finance-focused, this scholarship empowers women working at the intersection of finance and technology.
- Award Amount: $20,000
- Applications Open: Mid-2026
L’Oréal-UNESCO International Fellowships (Graduate & Postgraduate Levels)
Besides undergraduate applicants, this program also funds women pursuing master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral research in life sciences, chemistry, and physics.
- Award Amount: Up to €20,000
- Applications Open: Early 2026
Top Scholarships for African Women in STEM Careers
For African women passionate about science, engineering, and technology, dedicated scholarships are opening doors across the continent. These STEM scholarships for African women 2026 offer not just financial support, but mentorship, leadership training, and access to global networks, empowering future innovators to drive change in their communities.
WAAW Foundation STEM Scholarship
The Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (WAAW) Foundation provides annual scholarships to young African women pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees at African universities. This program also offers leadership and mentorship programs.
- Award Amount: $500 per year
- Application Opens: September 2025
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This prestigious program targets academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students, with a focus on women in STEM. Partner universities across Africa, the U.S., and Canada provide full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living costs, and mentorship
- Application Opens: University-specific (mostly early 2026)
She Leads Africa STEM Funding Initiatives
She Leads Africa supports African women entrepreneurs and students through grants, mentorship, and accelerator programs, including STEM-focused initiatives. While not traditional scholarships, their programs provide funding and training for women pursuing tech-based innovations or startups.
- Support Type: Grants, training, mentorship
- Applications Open: Program-dependent
Girls in STEM Trust Scholarships (Zimbabwe-Based)
Focused on supporting young women in Zimbabwe pursuing STEM subjects, this scholarship offers financial aid and skills development workshops, fostering both academic success and career readiness.
- Award Amount: Variable
- Application Opens: Mid-2026
TechWomen Africa Mentorship Program
African women in STEM can also apply to the U.S.-based TechWomen Program, offering mentorship and leadership development rather than direct funding, but with immense career growth benefits.
- Focus: Professional mentorship and international exposure
- Program Starts: Spring 2026
Mawazo Fellowship Program
The Mawazo Institute in Kenya offers research grants and training for African women pursuing PhDs in science and technology fields. Fellows benefit from funding, research support, and professional development opportunities.
- Award Amount: Research funding and training support
- Application Opens: Early 2026
Tech Industry-Sponsored Scholarships for Women in STEM Programs
Major tech companies are investing in the next generation of women leaders through scholarships designed to increase female participation in STEM. These tech company scholarships for women in STEM 2026 not only provide financial assistance but also mentorship, industry exposure, and leadership development opportunities.
Apple Scholars Program for Women in STEM
Apple’s scholarship focuses on women pursuing computer science, data science, or related tech degrees. In addition to funding, scholars are matched with Apple mentors and invited to exclusive tech workshops.
- Award Amount: Up to $15,000 plus mentorship
- Application Opens: Early 2026
Intel Scholars Program
The Intel Scholars Program supports undergraduate and graduate women pursuing engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other STEM-related fields. Selected scholars receive funding, internships, and leadership training.
- Award Amount: Varies (typically $5,000–$10,000)
- Application Opens: Spring 2026
HP Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship
HP Inc. offers scholarships specifically targeting women interested in cybersecurity. This program aims to diversify the future cybersecurity workforce through financial aid and career mentorship.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000
- Application Opens: Mid-2026
Meta (Facebook) Engineer Scholarship for Women
Meta awards scholarships to women pursuing computer science, data science, and software engineering degrees. This includes financial support, mentorship from Meta engineers, and invitations to Meta career events.
- Award Amount: $10,000 plus conference travel support
- Application Opens: Early 2026
NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program (For Women in AI and Machine Learning)
NVIDIA’s fellowship program targets graduate students globally who are working in AI, machine learning, or graphics computing. While not women-exclusive, they actively encourage women applicants and offer mentorship from NVIDIA researchers.
- Award Amount: $60,000 (tuition and stipend)
- Application Opens: Fall 2025
Cisco Women Rock-IT Scholarship
Cisco runs its Women Rock-IT initiative to encourage young women to pursue careers in IT and networking. This includes scholarships for Cisco Networking Academy courses, along with mentoring from women professionals in tech.
- Award Amount: Covers Cisco training and certification costs
- Application Opens: Ongoing (program cycles throughout 2026)
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Women in STEM Scholarship in 2026
Winning a scholarship can transform your STEM journey, but competition is fierce. Here are actionable tips to win women in STEM scholarships 2026, helping you stand out and maximize your chances of success.
- Target Scholarships That Match Your Profile: Don’t waste time applying for every opportunity. Focus on scholarships aligned with your degree level, nationality, and career goals (undergraduate, graduate, regional, or industry-specific).
- Start Early and Track Deadlines: Scholarship deadlines can vary widely. Create a calendar and begin applications months in advance to avoid rushed, weak submissions.
- Highlight Leadership and Community Involvement: Scholarship committees seek future leaders, not just top grades. Showcase volunteer work, mentorship roles, or STEM outreach initiatives in your personal statement.
- Write a Personalized and Impactful Essay: Avoid generic statements. Tailor each application essay to the scholarship’s goals, emphasizing how your work contributes to solving real-world STEM challenges.
- Secure Strong Recommendation Letters: Request recommendations from professors or mentors familiar with your STEM skills and leadership potential. Provide them with your achievements to help them write focused, personalized letters.
- Showcase Hands-On Projects and Research: Highlight internships, research projects, hackathons, or technical competitions. These experiences demonstrate your passion and readiness for a STEM career.
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Submitting generic applications
- Ignoring word limits or formatting guidelines
- Missing deadlines
- Failing to proofread
- Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Don’t rely on one opportunity. Apply broadly, target both global and regional scholarships to increase your chances.
By applying these tips to win women in STEM scholarships 2026, you’ll present yourself as a motivated, capable, and leadership-driven candidate, increasing your likelihood of earning the financial support you deserve.
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