Scholarships for Women in STEM Fields: Opportunities for Future Innovators

Science Needs You — And So Does the Funding

Imagine a lab filled with bright minds, but only a few of them are women. Or a tech team designing the next great app, but lacking female perspectives. Sadly, that’s not imagination. It’s still the reality in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields today. While women have made enormous strides, gender gaps remain in classrooms, research labs, and boardrooms alike.

That’s where women in STEM scholarships come in. They don’t just offer STEM financial aid — they open doors, shatter glass ceilings, and send a powerful message: science needs diversity. If you’re a new coder, physicist, mathematician, or engineer, there are scholarships for you. They can help with your goals, lighten your financial burden, and boost your impact.

In this guide, we’ll look at the best scholarships worldwide and in the UK. We’ll cover how to apply and share real stories of women who used these scholarships to start careers in science and tech. If you’re ready to turn your passion into a purpose, this is your map.

Why Scholarships for Women in STEM Still Matter

1. Bridging a Persistent Gender Gap

Women still lack representation in many STEM fields, especially in engineering, physics, and computer science. According to the UK’s WISE campaign, women made up just 24% of the core STEM workforce as of 2022.

Scholarships help create fairness. They break down barriers and encourage girls to enter male-dominated careers.

2. Encouraging More Inclusive Innovation

From healthcare algorithms to space tech, innovations affect all of us. That’s why it’s essential to have women contributing to their design and development. More diversity means better questions, broader solutions, and innovation that serves everyone.

3. Removing Financial Barriers to Entry

Many STEM degrees, especially at postgraduate levels, can be costly. Scholarships help women focus on their research, not just their rent. They also provide access to equipment, conferences, and mentorship. These are all key to success in technical fields.

Top Women in STEM Scholarships: Global and UK Highlights

Let’s dive into some of the most impactful scholarships for female scientists and technologists.

Global Scholarships for Women in STEM

1. AAUW International Fellowships (USA-Based, Open to All Nationalities)

• Who it’s for: Women from around the world pursuing full-time graduate or postgraduate studies in the US
• Award: $18,000–$30,000
• Focus: Academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to women’s empowerment

2. L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards

• Who it’s for: Female researchers across the globe in life and physical sciences
• Award: €100,000 for outstanding scientific achievement
• Bonus: Regional fellowships for early-career scientists

3. Google Women Techmakers Scholarship (EMEA)

• Who it’s for: Female undergraduate or postgraduate students in computer science or related fields
• Award: €7,000 + access to networking, mentoring, and events
• Region: Europe, Middle East, and Africa

4. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship

• Who it’s for: Women from developing countries pursuing PhDs or postdocs in STEM
• Award: Up to $50,000 per year
• Focus: Building capacity and leadership among women in research

🇬🇧 UK-Based Scholarships for Women in STEM

5. British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

• Who it’s for: Women from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas applying for master’s degrees in STEM in the UK
• Award: Full tuition, travel, stipend, and child support
• Partners: Leading UK universities including Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick

6. The Daphne Jackson Fellowship

• Who it’s for: Women returning to STEM research careers after a break (e.g. due to family or health)
• Award: Funded part-time fellowships with mentorship and training
• Eligibility: UK residents with postgraduate research experience

7. Imperial College London – Women in STEM Scholarships

• Who it’s for: Undergraduate and postgraduate female applicants in engineering, physics, or computer science
• Award: Varies; includes tuition support and enrichment programmes
• Extras: Part of broader commitment to gender equity in science

8. Women in Engineering Society (WES) Bursaries and Awards

• Who it’s for: Female engineering students at any level
• Award: Financial support, recognition awards, and networking opportunities
• Bonus: Access to mentoring and industry connections

Where to Find More STEM Financial Aid for Women

• University financial aid offices – Many offer internal awards for underrepresented genders in specific faculties
• STEM employers and tech companies – Follow their careers pages for seasonal scholarships
• Professional bodies like the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, and the BCS (British Computer Society) often fund women-led initiatives
• Local councils and charities – Look for regional bursaries for education and skills development

Combine scholarship search engines like Scholarships360, ScholarshipPortal, and Prospects.ac.uk with filters like “women,” “engineering,” or “diversity in STEM.”

How to Strengthen Your STEM Scholarship Application

1. Connect Your Story to Your Field

Why STEM? Why now? What sparked your interest in science, engineering, or maths? Was it a teacher, a project, a childhood curiosity?

Let your personal journey shine through. If you overcame challenges, name them. If you want to change the world, say how.

2. Show Impact, Not Just Interest

Go beyond “I want to study computer science.”
Share:

• A coding competition you joined
• A design you prototyped in school
• Volunteering at a science outreach event
• A blog, project, or portfolio that shows initiative

Show that you’re not just interested — you’re already investing in your path.

3. Tailor Every Application

Each scholarship has its own ethos. For L’Oréal, talk about your research. For Google, highlight your leadership in tech. Use their language and values as guideposts.

4. Secure Strong References

Ask a teacher, mentor, or supervisor who knows your work ethic and ambition.
Provide them with:

• Your CV
• The scholarship brief
• Key points to mention
• A clear deadline

Be polite and prompt, and thank them afterwards, especially if you win!

5. Proof, Polish, and Prepare Early

Don’t leave applications until the night before.
Treat them like an exam:

• Write your statement early
• Edit, edit, and edit again
• Run it through Grammarly or ask a friend to review
• Upload files in the correct format and double-check file names

Organise your applications in folders by deadline, and set calendar reminders.

Real Stories: Women Who Took the Leap

Aisha, Biomedical Student, Bristol

“I was one of three girls in my physics A-Level. I almost switched out — until I discovered the WISE campaign and their scholarship resources. I applied to a local women-in-healthtech award and got it. Now I’m interning at a biotech startup. One yes changed everything.”

Maria, AI Researcher, Barcelona

“The Women Techmakers Scholarship didn’t just pay for part of my Master’s — it gave me a network of fierce, brilliant women in AI. It wasn’t just about the money. It was about belonging.”

Final Checklist: Preparing for STEM Scholarships

• Identify your goals and specific field
• Shortlist scholarships that fit your profile
• Prepare your documents (CV, transcripts, references)
• Write a compelling, tailored statement
• Submit before the deadline and follow up
• Celebrate every step — applying is a success in itself

Conclusion: Science Is Better When It Includes You

STEM is about solving problems — global, local, and personal. But we can’t solve tomorrow’s problems with yesterday’s perspectives. We need diverse minds, fresh ideas, and inclusive voices. We need you.

Scholarships for women in STEM aren’t charity. They’re investments in the future — in your potential to build, code, cure, design, and lead.

So, take the step. Find the funding. Back yourself, even if you’re the only girl in the lab. Especially then.

Want a curated list of UK and global women-in-STEM scholarships by field and level? Subscribe below for access to our downloadable scholarship directory.

Have you received a scholarship or are you working on your scholarship application now? Share your journey in the comments — your story could inspire someone else.

Action step: Pick one scholarship from this list, add the deadline to your calendar, and start drafting your application this week. Because science needs you, and the future is waiting.