AWIS Bridge Grant Program

The AWIS Bridge Grant program provides quick and adaptable microgrants to researchers whose funding has been disrupted by unexpected federal grant changes. This program supports early-career researchers and established faculty seeking to maintain support for their trainees during funding transitions.

Award Amount: Up to $5,000 Per Grant

Eligibility Requirements
Category 1 Assistant Professors or Non-Tenured Faculty	Category 2 Tenured Professors Seeking Funding to Sustain Trainee Support
• Current AWIS membership • Documentation of federal grant cancellation or payment delay • Appropriate career stage verification	• Current AWIS membership • Documentation of federal grant cancellation or payment delay • Evidence of trainee support needs

Award Categories

These awards recognize AWIS members who are making significant contributions to increasing workplace diversity, promoting women into leadership positions, and advocating for more inclusive practices in STEM.

Spark Award

Highlights a student or early career leader in STEM who is a visible and vocal advocate for diversity and inclusive scientific practices. Up to 10 years of experience

Meridian Award

Recognizes a mid-career professional whose diversity and inclusion efforts represent a true leader in the pursuit of workplace equity. 10-20 years of experience

Zenith Award

Honors senior career professional’s lifetime of innovative achievements and commitment to workplace diversity in STEM. 20+ years of experience

Advancing Women in Science

Awards and scholarships provide visibility and recognition of the contributions of brilliant scientists. They also offer role models and encouragement to the next generation.

AWIS Distinguished Doctoral Research Scholarship

Awarded to an AWIS member whose dissertation research project is judged likely to make important and original contributions to their field. This $10,000 award is intended for a pre-doctoral student in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics or Engineering who is expecting to graduate within 2 years of the application deadline.

AWIS Opportunity Scholarships for Career Re-entry

Up to two members (AWIS members with a bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field) will receive individual awards of $2,500 to be used for expenses that will support and enable return to a STEM career after being out of the workforce for more than one year. Scholarships may be used for job search fees, technology needs, commuting, family care, additional education, participation in an incubator, or start-up fees for a scientific innovation or product.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Dr. Vicki L Schechtman Scholarship	First-Generation College Student Scholarship
This scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to a college undergraduate in their Freshman through Junior year whose field of study will be one of the sciences recognized by the National Science Foundation and continues Dr. Schechtman's dreams of scientific progress.	Up to four scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded to a college undergraduate in their Freshman through Junior year whose parents and/or guardians did not complete a 4-year college degree and whose field of study will be one of the sciences recognized by the National Science Foundation.

Process

1. Register

Register with AWIS.

2. Login

Login to the award with your AWIS member credentials.

3. Create

Create your online application. 

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.