The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is run by Zonta International, a global service organisation working on the status of women, and was created in 1938 in memory of the aviator and Zonta member Amelia Earhart. It supports women of any nationality who are enrolled in a full-time PhD or doctoral programme and whose research applies to aerospace engineering or the space sciences. Up to 30 fellowships of US$10,000 are granted each year, and the money can be used at any university or college offering accredited postgraduate degrees in those fields. Fellows stay at their own institution — the award funds the doctorate they are already doing rather than moving them somewhere new. Since 1938 the programme has made 1,794 awards worth more than US$12.2 million to 1,365 women from 80 countries, and its alumnae include astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers and company leaders. Applications for the 2026 fellowships are closed; Zonta states the next round opens in August 2026.
Benefits & funding
- US$10,000 for one year of doctoral study or research.
- Up to 30 fellowships awarded each year.
- The award may be used at any university or college with accredited postgraduate programmes in aerospace engineering or the space sciences.
- One fellow from each year’s cohort is additionally recognised as the Sharon Langenbeck Amelia Earhart Fellow, chosen by the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Committee against set criteria.
- Funding comes from the Zonta Foundation for Women Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund.
Eligibility
- Women of any nationality.
- Registered in a full-time PhD or doctoral programme, with research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences.
- At the time of applying, either at least one year of the doctoral programme completed, or a master’s degree already held in an aerospace-applied field.
- A superior academic record.
- Graduation from the doctoral programme no earlier than April 2027 (as stated for the most recent round).
- Post-doctoral researchers are not eligible.
- Zonta club members, individuals with direct Zonta International membership, and employees of Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women cannot apply.
- Previous Amelia Earhart Fellows cannot reapply to renew the fellowship for a second year.
Can you apply?
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Gender requirement
Female
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Appears to have an age limit “Up to 30”
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Application process
- 1Wait for the application round to open — Zonta states the next one opens in August 2026.
- 2Submit the full application, including everything listed in the requirements section of the application form, by the annual deadline (the most recent round closed on 15 November).
- 3The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee reviews applications against the published criteria and recommends recipients to the Zonta International Board.
- 4All applicants are notified of the outcome by the end of April. Evaluations are confidential and are not shared with applicants.
Program timeline
Applications for the next round are stated to open
August 2026
Annual application deadline (the most recent round closed on this date)
15 November
All applicants notified of the outcome
End of April