CAREER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Are you a working woman seeking to enhance and improve your career?
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 (professional conferences only)
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Airfare and related transportation costs
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Hotel/accommodation costs (We do NOT cover food or incidentals)
Grant funds cannot be used for food or incidentals, 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 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. 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)
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How detailed and realistic the provided budget is for your proposed activity
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Please read the information above and in the FAQs to ensure you follow our guidelines for our grant application.
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 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. Past Career Grant Awardees are NOT eligible to apply again. However, previous applicants not awarded are encouraged to apply again.
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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?We ask that applicants live or work 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. Also, an activity must begin AFTER the application deadline. Receipts submitted for reimbursement with dates that are before the application deadline will be questioned.
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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, as long as the activity does not begin prior to the application deadline. 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. In 2025, our Career Grant will not fund academic conferences, or students wishing to present their research.
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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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What types of expenses are eligible to be reimbursed?Our Career and Leadership Development Grants will cover: - Cost of the Activity, such as registration or enrollment fees, exam fees, licensing fees, or other costs directly related to enrolling in the activity or program. -Materials that are specific to the activity, such as study materials, practice exams, etc. - Travel to attend the activity - airfare, as well as transport to and from the airport. It is possible we cover transport costs such as car rental or taxi based on the committee's decision. - Lodging if necessary to attend the activity, based on the federal per diem rates for lodging Food and other per diem expenses, including daily transport, are NOT covered by our grant.
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When must my activity begin?An activity must begin before Sept 15 the following year. However, we can only reimburse funds until June 30 the following year. If your activity takes place over a year's time frame, that is acceptable, as long as it begins before Sept 15 the following year. If you are reimbursed for an event but it is then cancelled, you must notify us so we can discuss an alternate use of your funds.
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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?No, we don't accept group applications. However, multiple applicants from the same organization or for the same activity may apply. Awards will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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What does a complete application include?An application form (online ssubmisison) A copy of your resume or CV An itemized budget detailing estimated activity cost. If your budget is asking for more than $4,000, your application will NOT be reviewed. 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., send in receipts, and provide a W-9 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. In 2025, there will no longer be an Academic category.
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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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When will I be informed about the Committee's decision and if I have been awarded or not?It usually takes a month after the application deadline for our committee to read through all of the applications and make decisions. Emails will be sent out no later than 6 weeks after the application deadline. You will receive an email even if you did not receive an award this time.
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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. We currently reimburse via Paypal or physical check. Before any reimbursements are made, receipts and your W-9 must be provided.
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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. For example, if you are awarded funds October 2025, then your award must be used by June 30, 2026. If your conference or activity is canceled, please reach out and provide an alternate expense that is aligned with your career goals and a reasonable substitute. We will try to work with you.
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Can I apply for a grant if I’ll be attending a conference, but not presenting?Applicants in both the technical and professional categories can attend a conference with grant funds.
Meet the 2024 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."