Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Scholarship Sponsored by Zonta International
Despite women constituting approximately 25 percent of the global workforce in the aerospace sector, Zonta International is committed to ensuring they have equal access to resources and representation in decision-making roles. To this end, the organization offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
Established in 1938 to honor the renowned pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart, the Fellowship provides an annual award of US$10,000 to up to 30 women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. The Fellowship can be utilized at any accredited university or college that offers post-graduate courses and degrees in these disciplines.
Since its inception, Zonta has granted 1,794 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, amounting to over US$12.2 million, to 1,365 women from 80 different countries. The Fellowship has produced astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, entrepreneurs, company leaders, and even the Secretary of the US Air Force.
Who Can Apply?
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is open to women of any nationality who are pursuing a doctoral degree and have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in research related to aerospace engineering or space sciences. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time doctoral program, have completed at least one year of the program, or have obtained a master’s degree in a field related to aerospace. It is crucial that applicants will not graduate from their doctoral program before April 2027. Please be aware that post-doctoral research programs do not qualify for the Fellowship.
Direct members of Zonta International, employees of Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women, and club members are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members involved in the selection process must adhere to the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy when choosing awardees.
Please note that previous recipients of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship are not eligible to reapply for a second year.
Go to Scholarship Application