CANTON, NY - "AAUW supports talented women who are breaking through barriers in their respective fields and communities," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "We are extremely proud that AAUW is one the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women, especially in these tough economic times."

The online applications for AAUW's national funding programs became available Aug. 1 on AAUW's website, www.aauw.org. This funding will help women from the United States and abroad expand their professional opportunities, enter high-paying fields, change careers, or re-enter the workplace.

Grants are also available for projects promoting education and equity, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math. AAUW has awarded more than 10,000 fellowships and grants since 1888. Distinguished recipients include Marie Curie and the prominent psychologist Joyce Brothers.

Due to the long-standing, generous contributions of AAUW members across the United States, a broader community of women continues to gain access to educational and economic opportunities — breaking through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

In the 2009–10 academic year, AAUW is providing more than $3 million in funding for more than 200 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations. AAUW branches provide significant, additional funding each year for undergraduate scholarships.

"We are pleased to be able to offer additional opportunities to inform women about the tremendous scope of AAUW's philanthropy at the national and local levels," said Gloria Blackwell, AAUW director of fellowships and grants.

The various scholarship and grant available include American Fellowships, one-year postdoctoral research leave fellowships, dissertation fellowships, and summer/short-term research publication grants are offered (deadline Nov. 15).

International Fellowships are full-time graduate or postgraduate study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents (deadline Dec 1).

Community Action Grants provide seed money to individual women, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations, as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2010.

Locally, three AAUW Community Action Grants have been awarded. Dr. Jen Ball, a branch member and Clarkson University faculty member, developed a winning 2-year Educational Foundation Community Action Grant for 2009-2011 with branch support. Value U that will develop ways to help college and public school students examine their own values and the values of the groups they belong to reinforce positive outcomes.

The St. Lawrence County Branch received one in the early 1980s to start the LIFT program. LIFT stands for Living with Information, Fellowship and Thanksgiving, an emotional and social support group for widows and widowers. After several years, the group became independent.

In 1998, branch member Pat Burdick won a Community Action Grant for "From Lab to Life,” a project to encourage St. Lawrence County girls to study science during 1998-99 school year. It gave 5th to 7th grade girls aware of some interesting and exciting job opportunities for women with science degrees.

For more information and applications for each kind of grant or fellowship, you can also contact the St. Lawrence County Branch Educational Foundation VP Lyn Burkett at 265-0498 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for suggestions or help in figuring out how to apply an AAUW EF grant.