Complete guide to women in STEM scholarships 2026, covering computing, engineering, sciences, and application strategies for female STEM students.
Women in STEM Scholarships 2026
Women in STEM face a gender gap despite increasing opportunities. Thousands of scholarships specifically target women pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees, with awards totaling over $200 million annually from universities, corporations, and professional societies.
Premier Women in STEM Scholarships
| Program | Award Amount | Discipline Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship | $1,000-$20,000 | All engineering disciplines, freshman-grad level |
| Google Scholarship for Women Technologists | $10,000-$20,000 | Computer science, tech, AI/ML focus |
| Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Grant | $500-$5,000 | All STEM disciplines, research emphasis |
| NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing | $2,500 (and opportunities) | High school women in computing/IT |
| IEEE Women in Engineering Scholarship | $1,000-$10,000 | Electrical, computer, electronics engineering |
| L’Oréal For Women in Science Fellowship | $10,000-$60,000 | Women in life/physical sciences, research focus |
| Grace Hopper Celebration Scholarship | Up to $5,000 | Women in computing, GHC attendees |
| Girls Who Code Scholar Program | $5,000-$20,000 | Women computer science students |
| Chevron Women in Engineering | $5,000-$15,000 | Female engineering students, 3.0+ GPA |
| American Chemical Society (ACS) Women Chemist | $1,000-$5,000 | Chemistry/chemical engineering students |
Women in Computing Scholarships
Computing scholarships specifically for women include Microsoft’s Women Technologists Scholarship ($2,500-$5,000), Facebook’s Women in Engineering Program ($20,000+ fellowships), and Intel Women in Technology Scholarships ($5,000-$15,000). The Ada Lovelace Scholarship supports women in computer science with $2,000-$8,000 awards.
Organizations like Anita Borg Institute (now AnitaB.org) provide mentorship alongside $2,000-$10,000 scholarships for women in tech. The Society of Professional Engineers (SPE) has dedicated women’s scholarship tracks for mechanical, chemical, and petrochemical engineers.
Women in Biology and Life Sciences
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) provides $6,000-$30,000 fellowships for women pursuing graduate degrees in STEM. The Society for Developmental Biology offers $500-$2,000 travel awards enabling women researchers to present at conferences. The American Society of Plant Biologists has women-focused travel scholarships for conference attendance.
Overcoming the Gender Gap in STEM
Women earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM face persistent obstacles: stereotypes, underrepresentation (women comprise 35% of STEM bachelor’s degree earners), and wage gaps (women in tech earn 10-15% less than male counterparts). Scholarships address financial barriers while mentorship programs support belonging and retention in STEM fields.
Application Tips for Women in STEM
- Emphasize STEM-specific achievements: AP scores, science competition placements, coding projects
- Document lab research experience or internships in your STEM field
- Highlight overcoming stereotype threat or creating inclusive STEM spaces
- Join professional women’s organizations (SWE, AWIS, NCWIT) for scholarship access
- Maintain 3.0+ GPA in STEM courses (many programs evaluate STEM GPA separately)
- Leverage mentorship opportunities—many women’s STEM scholarships include mentor matching
- Apply early—women’s STEM programs have rolling deadlines that fill quickly
- Write compelling essays addressing your STEM passion and career vision
Women in STEM have more funding opportunities than women in other fields. Apply broadly—combine large scholarship applications with smaller organizational awards, as cumulative amounts typically exceed $10,000-$30,000 annually. Explore our scholarship database filtered for women in STEM by degree level and discipline.
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★ Key Takeaways
Source: The College Monk — Based on data from 3,837 U.S. universities. Last updated July 2026.
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