The pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education opens doors to some of today’s most innovative and rewarding careers. For women pursuing these fields, specialized scholarships provide crucial financial support and recognition, helping to bridge the persistent gender gap in STEM industries. This comprehensive guide highlights the most valuable scholarship opportunities available for women in STEM for the upcoming 2025 academic year, complete with deadlines, eligibility requirements, and application strategies.
Best STEM Scholarships for Women in 2025
Despite significant progress in recent decades, women remain underrepresented in many STEM fields. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make up only 26% of the workforce across all STEM fields combined as of 2024. This gender gap is particularly pronounced in high-paying sectors like engineering and computer science.
Scholarships specifically designed for women in STEM serve as powerful tools to bridge this gap. They provide essential financial support, enabling talented students to focus on their studies rather than financial concerns. Beyond monetary benefits, these scholarships boost confidence and create pathways into industries where female perspectives are vitally needed.
Here’s our comprehensive guide to the top STEM scholarships available for women in 2025, complete with application deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility requirements.
Science Ambassador Scholarship
This remarkable opportunity is funded by Cards Against Humanity and offers substantial support for women and non-binary students passionate about STEM education.
Award Amount: Full tuition coverage Deadline: December 2025 Eligibility:
- High school seniors and undergraduate students who identify as female or non-binary
- Must submit a 3-minute educational video about a STEM topic you’re passionate about
- Demonstrate strong academic performance in STEM subjects
The Science Ambassador Scholarship stands out for its unique application format and generous funding. Winners receive full tuition coverage at their college or university, making it one of the most valuable opportunities on this list.
Application Tip: Your video should showcase both your knowledge and your ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly. Choose a topic you genuinely care about rather than what you think judges want to hear.
Apply at Science Ambassador Scholarship
Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
The Society of Women Engineers offers numerous scholarship opportunities through a single application process. These awards support women at all educational levels pursuing engineering and related fields.
Award Amount: Varies ($1,000 to $15,000) Deadline:
- First-year application opens February 10, 2025
- Undergraduate/graduate application opens December 2, 2024 Eligibility:
- Women pursuing ABET-accredited programs in engineering, technology, or computing
- Must maintain strong academic standing
- SWE members receive additional consideration
SWE offers over 200 scholarships annually, totaling more than $1 million in awards. What makes this program especially beneficial is that one application makes you eligible for multiple scholarships based on your qualifications.
Application Tip: The SWE application requires reference letters, so identify potential recommenders early and provide them with plenty of time to submit their letters before the deadline.
Apply at Society of Women Engineers
MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship
This scholarship specifically supports international and DACA students pursuing STEM education in the United States or Canada.
Award Amount: Varies Deadline: Varies (typically spring 2025) Eligibility:
- Female international or DACA students
- Enrolled or accepted to study at an MPOWER partner university
- Pursuing STEM degree programs
- Not limited to MPOWER borrowers or applicants
The MPOWER scholarship focuses on women who will use their STEM degree to benefit society and can serve as role models for other women in STEM fields. The program specifically targets international students who often face additional barriers to education funding.
Application Tip: Your essay should emphasize how you plan to use your education to make a positive impact in your field and how you might inspire other women to pursue STEM careers.
Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship
This scholarship reflects Zonta International’s commitment to women’s empowerment through education and career development in STEM fields.
Award Amount: $10,000 Deadline: December 15, 2025 (or deadline determined by district) Eligibility:
- Women aged 18-35 pursuing STEM degrees
- Enrolled in accredited undergraduate or master’s programs
- Must be living or studying in a Zonta district/region
Zonta International created this scholarship to recognize women who have made exemplary contributions to the STEM industry or show exceptional promise in their field. The organization’s global reach makes this opportunity accessible to women worldwide.
Application Tip: Highlight any research, discoveries, or other contributions you’ve made in your field of study, as the scholarship particularly values groundbreaking work.
BHW Women in STEM Scholarship
This scholarship from the BHW Group supports women pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines with a focus on building the next generation of technology leaders.
Award Amount: $3,000 Deadline: April 15, 2025 Eligibility:
- Female undergraduate and graduate students
- Pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
- Demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential
The BHW Group, an app development company, offers this scholarship to help address the gender imbalance in technology fields. Their focus is on supporting women who show potential to make significant contributions to STEM.
Application Tip: In your application essay, clearly articulate your career goals and how you plan to contribute to innovation in your chosen STEM field.
Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship
Hyundai’s scholarship program aims to empower the next generation of female STEM professionals and support diversity in the automotive and technology sectors.
Award Amount: $10,000 Deadline: June 2025 Eligibility:
- Female high school seniors and college undergrads
- Pursuing STEM education
- Strong academic record and extracurricular involvement
This scholarship from a major global corporation demonstrates the industry’s recognition of the need for diverse perspectives in technological innovation. Recipients receive substantial funding along with potential networking opportunities.
Application Tip: Connect your STEM interests to real-world applications, particularly those related to automotive technology, sustainability, or transportation innovations.
Generation Google Scholarship
Google’s scholarship program supports students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the tech industry, with preference given to women and ethnic minorities.
Award Amount: $10,000 Deadline: December 2025 Eligibility:
- High school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students
- Planning to study computer science or engineering
- Academic excellence and demonstrated leadership
- Preference for women and underrepresented groups in technology
This scholarship from one of the world’s leading technology companies provides not only financial support but also potential pathways to internships and networking opportunities within Google.
Application Tip: Demonstrate both technical aptitude and leadership potential in your application, as Google values candidates who can excel technically while also inspiring others.
Learner Women in STEM Scholarship
This scholarship from online tutoring platform Learner supports women pursuing STEM education with a focus on those who can articulate their passion for their chosen field.
Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: October 20, 2025 Eligibility:
- Female students at any educational level
- Must submit a 400-600 word essay explaining why you’ve chosen to pursue STEM and how you hope to make a difference as a woman in the field
The Learner scholarship stands out for its accessibility to women at various educational stages and its focus on personal passion and motivation rather than solely academic achievements.
Application Tip: Your essay should tell a compelling personal story about your journey to STEM while also looking forward to how you’ll contribute to your field and support other women.
Progress Mary Székely Scholarship for Women in STEM
Named in honor of Progress Software co-founder Mary Székely, this scholarship celebrates her legacy as a pioneering woman in technology.
Award Amount: $10,000 per year (renewable for up to four years) Deadline: April 11, 2025 Eligibility:
- Female residents of Massachusetts
- Pursuing or planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, IT, or computer information systems
This substantial four-year scholarship provides significant long-term support, covering tuition, fees, and educational expenses. The scholarship honors the legacy of a woman who was a trailblazer in software development.
Application Tip: Research Mary Székely’s contributions to the tech industry and reflect on how her pioneering spirit relates to your own aspirations in STEM.
F5 STEM Education Grants for Women and Girls of Color
While technically a grant rather than a scholarship, this funding opportunity from F5 supports organizations that help build the pipeline of future female leaders in STEM.
Award Amount: $50,000 (unrestricted) Deadline: March 1-15, 2025 Eligibility:
- Nonprofit organizations focused on increasing access to STEM education for women and girls of color
- Organizations must have been in operation for at least 3 years
- Programs must serve majority (>50%) women and girls of color
- Priority given to organizations focusing on AI literacy education
This grant program reflects the growing recognition that addressing the STEM gender gap requires systemic support for organizations dedicated to this mission, particularly for women and girls from underrepresented backgrounds.
Tips for STEM Scholarship Applications
1. Start Early and Stay Organized
Create a scholarship calendar with all relevant deadlines and application requirements. Starting early gives you time to craft thoughtful applications and gather necessary materials without last-minute stress.
2. Tailor Your Personal Statement
Each scholarship has different priorities and values. Research the sponsoring organization and customize your essay to align with their mission while authentically sharing your story. Highlight specific experiences that demonstrate your passion for STEM.
3. Showcase Your STEM Achievements
Document your relevant coursework, research projects, internships, and extracurricular activities. Quantify your achievements when possible (e.g., placed in the top 10% of participants in a math competition).
4. Develop Strong Relationships with Recommenders
Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak specifically about your STEM aptitude and potential. Provide them with information about your achievements and the scholarship’s focus to help them write effective letters.
5. Demonstrate Your Vision
Scholarship committees want to invest in students who have clear goals. Articulate how you plan to use your STEM education to make an impact and possibly inspire other women to enter the field.
6. Proofread Meticulously
Technical precision matters in STEM fields. Demonstrate this quality by ensuring your application is free of errors. Have someone with strong writing skills review your materials before submission.
7. Apply Broadly but Strategically
Focus your energy on scholarships where you meet all eligibility requirements and align well with the selection criteria. Apply to both large national scholarships and smaller local opportunities to maximize your chances.
Resources for Women in STEM
Beyond scholarships, several organizations offer valuable resources for women pursuing STEM education and careers:
- Association for Women in Science (AWIS): Provides networking, professional development, and mentoring opportunities.
- Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN): Works to transform culture in engineering education to attract and retain women.
- National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT): Offers resources, research, and community for women in computing.
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE): Beyond scholarships, provides career development, networking, and advocacy.
- Girls Who Code: Builds pathways for young women into technology careers through education and community.
Conclusion
The landscape for women in STEM is gradually improving, thanks in part to scholarship programs that recognize and nurture female talent. These financial opportunities do more than just help pay for education—they represent a commitment to building a more diverse and innovative STEM workforce.
As you apply for these scholarships, remember that each application is an opportunity to refine your professional narrative and clarify your goals. Whether you receive a scholarship or not, the process of articulating your passion and vision for your future in STEM is valuable preparation for your career journey.
The scholarships listed here represent just a fraction of the opportunities available. Check with your institution’s financial aid office, professional associations in your field, and local organizations for additional scholarship opportunities. Your pursuit of a STEM education not only opens doors for your own future but contributes to breaking down barriers for generations of women to come.