Advancing Gender Equity in STEM: 2026 AAUW Community Action Grants

Despite progress, girls, especially those from historically underrepresented communities continue to face significant barriers to participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Limited access to resources, lack of representation, and confidence gaps often prevent girls from pursuing STEM education and careers.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) addresses these challenges through its Community Action Grants, which fund innovative, community-based programs that help K–12 girls develop STEM skills, confidence, and identity. The 2026 grant cycle continues AAUW's commitment to building a diverse and inclusive STEM pipeline.

Program Overview

AAUW Community Action Grants provide up to $75,000 to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions dedicated to supporting girls in grades K–12 through transformative STEM education.

Funded programs are expected to include:

• Hands-on STEM learning experiences
• Mentorship and role model exposure from women in STEM
• Family and community involvement
• Confidence-building and identity development activities

AAUW places strong emphasis on reaching girls from historically underrepresented communities, ensuring that all young women have equitable opportunities to succeed in STEM fields.

Why AAUW Does This Work

AAUW's approach is grounded in evidence that girls thrive when immersed in supportive, engaging, and inclusive STEM environments. Learning alongside relatable role models helps girls develop:

• Sustained interest in STEM subjects
• Strong self-confidence and STEM identity
• Persistence in STEM education pathways
• Motivation to pursue STEM higher education and careers

These outcomes help dismantle stereotypes, strengthen self-belief, and foster the diverse leadership needed to close gender gaps in STEM.

Timeline for the 2026 Grant Cycle

Note: Before applying, organizations should review their internal project timelines to ensure alignment with the grant period. Applicants are also encouraged to confirm official dates, eligibility, and funding details on the AAUW website prior to submission.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S.-based nonprofit with IRS 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by one
• Educational institutions, including K–12 schools, are eligible
• Implement projects within the United States

Program Experience & Capacity

Organizations must demonstrate:

• Experience designing and delivering programs for girls in grades K–12, or
• For emerging organizations, clear organizational capacity and commitment, including:
  • A well-developed implementation and sustainability plan
  • Relevant staff experience or expertise
  • Examples of past programming and lessons learned
  • Evidence of trust and engagement with participants and families

Learning & Community Engagement

Applicants should show:

• Systems for collecting and responding to participant feedback
• Examples of program improvement based on learning
• Authentic community engagement (advisory groups, listening sessions, co-design)
• Practices that reflect and incorporate community input into decision-making

Financial Management

All applicants must demonstrate:

• Basic financial systems appropriate to organizational size
• Ability to track grant expenditures and report on fund usage
• Transparency regarding financial challenges or needs

Disqualifying Factors

Organizations are not eligible if decision-making or financial management includes:

• AAUW Board members
• AAUW employees or contractors
• AAUW review panelists
• Immediate family members of the above

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed using the following lenses:

1. Program Design and Focus

Programs must directly serve girls in grades K–12 through:

• STEM skill-building
• Confidence and identity development
• College and career preparation
• Mentorship and exposure to women in STEM

2. Impact Potential and Measurement

AAUW values outcomes that are meaningful within local contexts, even if participant numbers are small.

3. Community Understanding and Engagement

Strong proposals demonstrate deep understanding of community needs and culturally responsive program design.

4. Learning and Adaptation

Applicants should show how data, evaluation, or feedback has shaped programming—or a clear plan to build this capacity.

5. Additional Valued Factors

• Potential to influence policies, practices, or perceptions beyond participants
• Collaboration with AAUW national or local policy teams
• Teaching practices that honor participants' cultural backgrounds
• Willingness to test innovative approaches to persistent STEM barriers

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to confirm eligibility and selection criteria directly on the AAUW website and contact AAUW if clarification is needed.

Application Process

Step 1: Letter of Interest (LOI)

Organizations submit one LOI via the AAUW application portal.

LOIs should include:

• Executive summary and organizational introduction
• Theory of change aligned with gender equity in STEM
• Description of community need and barriers addressed
• Program activities, timeline, and evaluation approach
• Organizational capacity and experience
• Budget summary (up to $75,000 requested)

LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected organizations are notified by November 2025.

Step 2: Full Application (By Invitation Only)

Invited applicants submit a detailed proposal including:

• Comprehensive program narrative and workplan
• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (if applicable)
• Form 990 and financial statements
• Organizational budgets (prior and current year)
• Detailed project budget with narrative justification

Costs That Are Not Allowed

AAUW does not fund:

• Higher education scholarships
• Building, construction, or renovation costs
• Past expenditures or debt
• Re-granting to other organizations
• Fundraising activities
• Political or lobbying activities

Evaluation & Reporting

Evaluation Process

Applications are reviewed by a diverse panel of:

• Women in STEM
• Nonprofit leaders
• Business and management experts
• AAUW alumnae

Each proposal is scored by multiple reviewers before final decisions are made.

Reporting Requirements

Reporting is designed as a learning partnership and may include:

• Participation in cohort-based learning sessions
• Mid-term narrative and financial reports
• Progress check-in conversations
• Final impact report and lessons learned

Note: For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligibility, timelines, and application requirements, applicants are advised to visit the official AAUW website. All information presented above is compiled from publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only.

Alignment With Funding, Accountability, and Reporting Requirements

Grant-funded STEM programs often require coordination across schools, families, mentors, and community partners. Funders expect clear systems for tracking activities, follow-through, and outcomes tied to the use of grant funds.

Structured, closed-loop approaches can support this by enabling organizations to:

• Assign referrals or program requests to appropriate staff or partners
• Track activities through completion and document follow-up
• Maintain transparency and accountability across program delivery
• Record participant engagement and community involvement
• Support grant reporting, learning, and financial oversight

Tools such as GridSocial Referral Management Software may be used to help document and track program actions from initiation through completion, supporting responsible grant stewardship and streamlined evaluation and reporting.

Conclusion: Building the Next Generation of Women in STEM

The 2026 AAUW Community Action Grants play a critical role in advancing gender equity in STEM by supporting organizations that empower girls through confidence-building, mentorship, and community-centered programming. By investing in early and meaningful STEM experiences, AAUW helps ensure that girls across the United States can build strong STEM identities and pursue future education and careers in these fields.

Organizations aligned with AAUW's mission are encouraged to plan ahead, review eligibility carefully, and submit a well-prepared Letter of Interest to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable STEM pipeline.