In the march of female empowerment, higher education plays the biggest role to compliment women with the required skill to partake in social equilibrium. Women’s participation into workforce and into other decision-making arena of the society is prohibited largely due to lack of education. More and more countries and corporations have realised this fact and started offering dedicated opportunities for women to pursue higher studies into various fields. Here is a list of several scholarships and funding opportunities for women who are keen to participate into higher studies. Click into the pink letters which are all hyperlinked with the relevant websites where these opportunities are offered –

The Schlumberger Foundation

The non-profit Schlumberger Foundation provides support for women in science and technology education. Its flagship Faculty for the Future program awards fellowships to women who are from developing and emerging economies, for PhD or postdoctoral studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at universities worldwide. Recipients are selected based on both scientific talent and leadership potential, with grant amounts decided based on an assessment of costs involved, up to US$50,000 per year.

PEO International

Established in 1869, the US-based PEO Internationalruns six projects dedicated to helping women further their education. The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund provides international scholarships for women from outside of the US and Canada hoping to pursue graduate-level studies in one of those two countries. The PEO Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants of up to US$3,000 for women in the US and Canada whose educational path has been interrupted for various reasons. And the PEO STAR Scholarship and PEO Scholar Awards provide scholarships for women applying to study at undergraduate and doctoral levels respectively.

American Association of University Women (AAUW)

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers seven different types of grants and fellowships for women. These include American Fellowships for women scholars who are US citizens or permanent residents; International Fellowships for women from other countries who want to study in the US; and Selected Professions Fellowships to support women in the US pursuing a master’s degree in the fields of architecture, computer science, engineering and mathematics.

Zonta International

Working to promote the rights, well-being and professional status of women worldwide, Zonta International offers two scholarship programs. The Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship awards a series of annual scholarships for women studying business management at undergraduate or master’s level. Recipients must be members of the Zonta club, with scholarships worth US$2,000 at district/region level and US$8,000 at international level. The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is for women studying at PhD level in the aerospace field. This scheme awards 30 fellowships each year to women around the world, worth US$10,000 each, which can be used to support doctoral studies at any university or college.

L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme

The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme awards five international fellowships worth £15,000 each year to women pursuing postdoctoral research in the life sciences at any UK or Irish university or research institute. The aim is to help young researchers widen their expertise, by spending time at a leading research centre outside of their own country.

Women Techmakers Scholars Program

Google’s Women Techmakers Scholars Program scheme awards scholarships to women studying in the field of computer science and technology at undergraduate or graduate level. Scholarships are worth around US$10,000 and are awarded across the globe, with applicants assessed on their academic and leadership background. In addition to financial support, successful applicants are also invited to one of Google’s major regional offices for a special ‘retreat’, including workshops, speakers, networking and social activities.