CAREER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Are you a working woman seeking to enhance and improve your career? Are you a graduate student or academic looking to share your research with colleagues at conferences?
If the high cost of conferences, seminars, training, and certifications are holding you back from advancing in your field, apply for an AAUW Honolulu Career and Leadership Development Grant!
We offer multiple grants (up to $4,000 each) each application cycle. Grants that request more than the $4,000 limit will not be reviewed. AAUW Maui will be offering a grant for up to $2,000 this year as well.
Grant funds can be used for:
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Pursuing career-related designations, licensing, and the like
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Trade certifications and licensing
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Conference registration fees (must be presenting for an academic grant)
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Airfare and related transportation costs
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Hotel/accommodation costs
Grant funds cannot be used for standardized admissions tests (e.g., MCAT, LSAT, GRE), research/data collection, or tuition for coursework toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. See our FAQ section for more.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Women who are currently living and/or working and/or studying in the State of Hawai‘i. If you are currently attending a Hawai‘i-based university online but are living elsewhere, you are still eligible to apply. You do not need to be an AAUW member to apply. Only one person, not a group, may apply per application. Those who have received a Career Grant in the past are not eligible to apply again. AAUW Honolulu Scholarship awardees for the current year are also ineligible for this grant.
WHAT’S THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?
The application cycle is open once a year. This year it is open from August 15-September 15, 2024. All application materials must be received by end of day (11:59pm HST) September 15, 2024. No late applications will be considered. Please sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about the next cycle dates.
HOW WILL APPLICATIONS BE EVALUATED?
Applications will be evaluated based on:
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The proposed activity’s ability to further the applicant’s career goals or to help the applicant gain financial security
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If and how the proposed activity will allow the applicant to make a positive impact on their community (however “community” is defined by the applicant)
WHAT DOES A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDE?
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An application form
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A copy of your resume or CV
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An itemized budget detailing estimated activity cost.
All documents should be submitted as PDFs. REQUIRED: Download our example budget sheet to itemize your budget details for your proposed activity:
Please note that those selected to receive grants will be required to show proof that they have been accepted into any corresponding conferences, programs, etc., prior to any monetary reimbursements.
Got Questions? Check out our FAQ section, or contact us.
All application materials must be received by end of day (11:59pm HST) on the application deadline date. No late applications will be considered. Emails with questions submitted after 5pm HST will be answered the following business day.
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Who is eligible to apply?Women who are currently living and/or working and/or studying in the State of Hawai‘i. You do not need to be an AAUW member to apply. Only one person, not a group, may apply per application
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Do you have to be an AAUW member to apply for the grant?No, you do not have to be an AAUW member to apply. However, AAUW members are also welcome to apply for the grant.
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Is the grant open to applicants on islands other than O‘ahu?Yes. Applicants from any of the Hawaiian Islands are welcome to apply. Additionally, in 2024, AAUW Maui will be awarding a grant specifically for a Maui based woman.
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Do applicants need to demonstrate that their official state residency is in Hawai‘i?No. When we ask if applicants reside in Hawai‘i, we are only asking if they are currently working and/or studying in Hawai‘i. To demonstrate this, applicants are only required to provide a Hawai‘i address on their application.
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Can I apply for funds for an activity that I have already completed?No. Grant funds cannot be used for an activity that was completed prior to the application deadline.
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I am proposing an activity that will occur close to the application due date. Can I still apply?Yes, you are still welcome to apply. But please keep in mind that if you are selected as a grant recipient, funds will not be disbursed until after decisions have been announced, which is typically a month after the application due date. There is also no guarantee that applicants will be awarded grant funds. In these cases, it may be wise to apply for additional sources of funding, if possible.
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Can the grant be used to conduct research?No. The grant is not intended to fund data collection or any costs related to data collection.
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Can undergraduate and graduate students use the grant to pay for tuition or coursework for their degree?No, grant funds cannot be used to support tuition or basic coursework toward a degree. For assistance with tuition costs, please consider applying for the academic scholarships that we offer.
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Can grant funds be used to pay for standardized tests required for admissions, such as the GRE or LSAT?No. Grant funds cannot be used for the GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or other similar exams.
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Can I apply for funds for an activity that I have already completed?No. Grant funds cannot be used for an activity that was completed prior to the application deadline. Receipts submitted for reimbursement with dates that are before the application deadline will be questioned.
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What’s the application deadline?All application materials must be received by end of day (11:59pm HST) at the end of the cycle (Sept 15, 2024). No late applications will be considered.
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Can an organization or several people apply for the grant together/as part of the same application?Yes, groups are invited to apply for the grant. However, the eligibility of group applications is currently being determined on a case-by-case basis. Groups may be asked to provide extra and/or different application materials than those that are listed online. If you are interested in applying on behalf of a group, please contact us before submitting an application.
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What does a complete application include?An application form A copy of your resume or CV An itemized budget detailing estimated activity cost. All documents should be submitted as PDFs. Please use our example budget document to itemize your estimated activity cost: Google Sheets > Please note that those selected to receive grants will be required to show proof that they have been accepted into any corresponding conferences, programs, etc., prior to any monetary reimbursements.
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How do I determine my Activity's category?Application Categories Technical and Career Oriented Education Those starting or already attending career-oriented programs, programs specializing in the skilled trades, and/or programs offering practical learning experience in real-world settings Examples include and are not limited to dental assistants, esthetician, midwives, etc. Funding can be used to help cover program tuition, certifications and exams, and/or other costs related to program participation Professional (non-technical) Those working in non-academic, professional settings seeking funding for activities to foster career and/or professional development Examples include and are not limited to nurses, engineers, instructors who already have their degree(s), etc. College and university instructors with a master’s degree or PhD will be included in the professional category Includes professionals working in any/all fields Funding can be used for activities including exams, certifications, licensure, attending or participating in professional conferences, and more Academic Those working in academic-based settings seeking funding for activities to foster career and/or professional development Includes undergraduate and graduate students and early-career academics Funding can be used to present at conferences or other activities Funding cannot be used toward the cost of basic tuition or the GRE/other preparatory standardized examinations (e.g. MCAT, LSAT)
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How should hotel lodging be calculated when submitting the itemized budget portion of the application?We only cover per diem lodging expenses, not meals and incidentals. Please refer to the following website as a guide for determining your per diem: Per Diem Rates for Mainland: https://www.federalpay.org/perdiem/ Per Diem Rates for Alaska, Hawaii & International: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Travel-Transportation-Rates/Per-Diem/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup/
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Will I receive an email confirmation after I have submitted my grant application?Not immediately. Shortly after the application due date, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been received. If it has been two weeks since the application due date and you have not received a confirmation, please contact us.
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How will applications be evaluated?Applications will be evaluated based on: The proposed activity’s ability to further the applicant’s career goals or improve the applicant's financial security If and how the proposed activity will allow the applicant to make a positive impact on their community (however “community” is defined by the applicant)
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How are grants disbursed?Grants are awarded as reimbursements. Applicants may also be offered partial awards (i.e., not covering the full amount requested) due to limited grant funds.
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If my application is not selected to receive a grant, will I receive feedback as to why?Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on individual applications. However, all applicants are invited to apply again in the future, regardless of whether or not they are awarded a grant.
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After accepting a career grant award, how much time do I have to spend the full award?You must spend your full award before June 30 the following year. If your conference is canceled, please reach out and provide an alternate expense that is aligned with your career goals and a reasonable substitute.
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Can I apply for a grant if I’ll be attending a conference, but not presenting?No, Applicants must be presenting at a conference. Please be sure to explain in your application what you will be presenting.
Meet the Summer 2023 Career and Leadership Development Grant Awardees
AAUW National Fellowships and Grants
Follow in the footsteps of award-winning authors, scientists, scholars, changemakers and community leaders. AAUW National is providing millions of dollars in funding to hundreds of fellows and grantees each year. These exceptional recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls.
Meet our fellows and grantees from across the nation, including Hawaii. Our comprehensive online directory includes biographies and sponsorship information for our outstanding AAUW National fellows and grantees going back to the 2004-05 academic year. Feel free to reach out to the grantees in Hawaii to learn from their experience with the application process.
You can also use the AAUW National contact us form to ask more questions. Within the drop down menu, you may select "Fellowships and Grants."