Graduate Women International - Scholarship

What you get

You receive a one-off payment to fund doctoral research, study or training abroad. The amount depends on which award the committee gives you. A fellowship (a grant to support your studies) is around CHF 5,000 (about 5,300 EUR). Separate awards for PhD study in the UK are worth GBP 3,000 to GBP 6,000 (about 3,500 to 7,000 EUR). Smaller grants run from about CHF 1,000 to CHF 6,000 (about 1,100 to 6,400 EUR). Recognition awards are around EUR 1,000. A fellowship covers 8 to 12 months of work. A grant covers at least 2 months. You fill in one form, and the selection committee decides which award fits you. You can also ask for partial funding for travel away from the country where you are enrolled. The money comes from Graduate Women International (GWI), a global organisation that supports women in higher education. You cannot renew an award.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You are a woman enrolled on a PhD programme.
• Study stage: You must be in at least your second year of your PhD. You cannot apply in your first year.
• Membership: You are a member of the GWI, either through a national association or as an independent member. If you are not yet a member, you can still apply by paying an administration fee: CHF 50 if you live in a developing country, CHF 100 if you live in an industrialised country.
• Field of study: Any topic is acceptable, provided your work supports GWI’s aim of promoting education for women and girls.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Study abroad: You must undertake the scholarship in a country where you have neither studied nor have your usual place of residence. You must not carry out the funded activity in your home country.
• Admission: You already have a confirmed place at the institution where you will study or do research.

How to apply

You should email an application form to the GWI Scholarship Committee. Your referees should submit their letters of recommendation separately by the deadline. The deadline is 15 January, and the application round operates on a three-year cycle. The next call for applications opens in October 2027.