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. The 2026 round closed on 15 November 2025, and Zonta’s page tells applicants to check back in August 2026; the next round had not been posted when this record was last checked.
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 published for the 2026 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?
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
PhD Enrolled
Gender requirement
Female
Appears to have an age limit “Up to 30”
confirm in the requirements
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Application process
- 1Wait for the round to open — Zonta’s page tells applicants to check back in August 2026.
- 2Prepare the required materials: biographical information and study plans; official colour-scan transcripts from every institution attended, with English translations of anything not in English; a list of up to five publications; a record of scholarships, honours and employment; an essay of 500 words or fewer on the academic programme and professional goals; three recommendation letters on letterhead, one page each; and a current enrolment verification form.
- 3Submit the complete application by the annual deadline of 15 November.
- 4The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee reviews applications against the published criteria and recommends recipients to the Zonta International Board.
- 5All applicants are notified of the outcome by the end of April. Evaluations are confidential and are not shared with applicants.
Program timeline
15 November 2025
Deadline for the 2026 round; 15 November is the annual deadline
End of April 2026
2026 applicants notified of the outcome
Zonta’s page tells applicants to check back for the next round
August 2026