The Association for Computing Machinery Council on Women in Computing (ACM-W) awards travel scholarships that help undergraduate and graduate students attend computer science research conferences anywhere in the world. Recipients may attend any research conference — including events that are not ACM-affiliated — chosen for its relevance to their studies or projects.
The program is run by ACM-W with support from donors, and welcomes applicants who care about advancing the participation and visibility of women in computing research communities. It is open across student levels and reviewed on a rolling schedule of six cycles per year.
Benefits & funding
- Up to US$600 toward intra-continental travel (conference on the applicant’s home continent).
- Up to US$1,200 toward intercontinental travel.
- ACM special interest group (SIG) conferences may add complimentary registration and mentorship.
- ACM-W encourages the student’s home department to match the award.
- The scholarship is a one-time award per student.
Eligibility
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students in computer science or a related program.
- Students outside a traditional CS/CE/SE department who work on computer-science-related projects are encouraged to apply.
- Open to all nationalities; no age, residency, or membership-fee requirement is stated.
- Applicants who have previously received this scholarship are no longer eligible.
- Not available for the Grace Hopper Celebration or the Richard Tapia Celebration.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Create an ACM account (a free web account; ACM membership is not required to apply).
- 2Identify the research conference you wish to attend and confirm it falls within an open review window.
- 3Submit the application: personal details, conference details, and a statement of why you want to attend.
- 4Arrange a support letter from your academic advisor — it must reach ACM-W by the same deadline, or the application is not considered.
- 5Await the notification for your cycle.
Program timeline
Review cycles (conference dates → application deadline → notification)
Apr 1–May 31 → deadline Feb 15 → notified Feb 28
Jun 1–Jul 31 → deadline Apr 15 → notified Apr 30
Aug 1–Sep 30 → deadline Jun 15 → notified Jun 30
Oct 1–Nov 30 → deadline Aug 15 → notified Aug 30
Dec 1–Jan 31 → deadline Oct 15 → notified Oct 30
Feb 1–Mar 31 → deadline Dec 15 → notified Dec 30
Next upcoming deadline
Aug 15, 2026 (for conferences held Oct 1–Nov 30, 2026).