2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship: US$12,000 Funding for Women Pursuing PhD Research in Aerospace Engineering and Space Sciences

The 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship is now accepting applications from outstanding women pursuing doctoral-level studies and research in aerospace engineering and space sciences. Offered by Zonta International, the prestigious fellowship provides financial support to women who are advancing knowledge, innovation, exploration and research in some of the world’s most competitive scientific and technological fields.

Up to 30 women will be selected as 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellows, with each recipient receiving a US$12,000 fellowship to support their advanced doctoral studies.

Established in 1938 in honor of renowned aviator and Zontian Amelia Earhart, the fellowship has a long history of supporting women who are breaking barriers in aerospace-related disciplines and developing the knowledge and technologies that shape the future of aviation, space exploration and science.

The 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship application deadline is 15 November 2026.

About the Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Women have made important contributions to aerospace engineering, aviation, astronomy, space exploration and other scientific fields. However, they remain significantly underrepresented in many areas of aerospace engineering and space sciences.

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was created to help address this imbalance by providing talented women with financial resources to continue advanced research and doctoral studies.

For almost 90 years, Zonta International has supported women who are pursuing ambitious academic and professional goals. The fellowship specifically recognizes women whose doctoral research is applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences.

The fellowship reflects Amelia Earhart’s pioneering spirit and Zonta International’s commitment to helping women gain access to the resources and opportunities necessary to become leaders and decision-makers in highly competitive fields.

For the 2027 fellowship cycle:

• Up to 30 Fellows will be selected.
• Each Fellow will receive US$12,000.
• The fellowship can support doctoral studies at an accredited university or college offering postgraduate courses and degrees in the relevant fields.
• Applicants can be studying at eligible institutions in different countries around the world.
• The program is designed specifically for women pursuing doctoral-level research connected to aerospace engineering or space sciences.

What Makes the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Prestigious?

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship has an extensive history of supporting women in aerospace and space-related disciplines.

Since the program began, Zonta International has awarded:

• 1,824 Amelia Earhart Fellowships
• More than US$12.5 million in fellowship funding
• Support to 1,395 women
• Recipients from 81 countries

Past Amelia Earhart Fellows have gone on to build influential careers in a wide range of fields.

Alumnae have become:

• Astronauts
• Aerospace engineers
• Astronomers
• Professors
• Geologists
• Entrepreneurs
• Corporate leaders
• Senior public officials

One former Fellow even went on to become the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force.

These achievements demonstrate the potential impact of investing in women conducting advanced research in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship Funding

Each selected Fellow will receive US$12,000.

The award is intended to provide financial support for eligible doctoral studies and research in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

The fellowships are made possible through generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund.

The funding can therefore provide valuable financial assistance to doctoral researchers who are already undertaking advanced academic work and need additional resources to continue developing their research.

Eligibility Requirements

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship has specific academic and enrollment requirements.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants must be women

The fellowship is specifically designed to support women pursuing advanced studies and research in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

2. Applicants may be of any nationality

The fellowship is open to women of any nationality who satisfy the academic and program requirements.

This means the opportunity is not restricted to applicants from a particular country or continent.

3. Applicants must be pursuing a Ph.D. or doctoral degree

Applicants must be actively pursuing a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree.

The doctoral program must involve research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences.

4. Applicants must demonstrate a superior academic record

Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance and evidence of excellence in their field.

A competitive applicant should therefore be able to demonstrate a strong academic background alongside significant potential in aerospace engineering or space sciences.

5. Applicants must be conducting aerospace- or space-science-related research

The applicant’s research must be applied to:

• Aerospace engineering; or
• Space sciences.

Applicants whose doctoral research falls outside these areas would not meet the central academic focus of the fellowship.

6. Applicants must be registered in a full-time doctoral program

Applicants must be registered in a full-time Ph.D. or doctoral program.

Part-time doctoral study does not satisfy this requirement.

7. Applicants must have completed at least one year of their doctoral program

At the time of submitting the application, applicants must have either:

• Completed at least one year of their Ph.D./doctoral program; or
• Received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field.

This requirement is important because the fellowship is intended for researchers who have already progressed beyond the very beginning of their advanced academic journey.

8. Applicants must not graduate before April 2028

Applicants must remain enrolled in their doctoral program long enough to meet the fellowship’s timing requirements.

Specifically, applicants must not graduate from their Ph.D. or doctoral program before April 2028.

Candidates whose doctoral studies are scheduled to end before this date are therefore not eligible for the 2027 fellowship.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Certain individuals are specifically excluded from applying.

The following people are not eligible:

• Zonta club members
• Individuals with direct membership with Zonta International
• Employees of Zonta International
• Employees of the Zonta Foundation for Women
• Applicants participating in post-doctoral research programs
• Previous Amelia Earhart Fellows applying to renew the fellowship for a second year

Applicants should carefully review their status before beginning the application process.

Previous Amelia Earhart Fellows

Previous recipients of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship cannot apply to renew the fellowship for a second year.

However, Zonta notes that recipients of another Zonta fellowship or award who received a complimentary one-year supporting membership from Zonta International may still be eligible to apply during that complimentary membership year, provided they are not applying for the same fellowship or scholarship they previously received from Zonta International.

The Sharon Langenbeck Amelia Earhart Fellow

A special distinction has been introduced within the Amelia Earhart Fellowship program.

In 2025, Sharon Langenbeck, Ph.D., a Past International President and a two-time Amelia Earhart Fellow from 1977 and 1978, made an extraordinary contribution to the Amelia Earhart Endowment Fund.

In recognition of her generosity and lasting contribution to the fellowship program, one of the 30 Amelia Earhart Fellows selected each year will be designated the Sharon Langenbeck Amelia Earhart Fellow.

The Fellow will be selected by the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Committee according to pre-established criteria.

Sharon Langenbeck continues to support the legacy of Amelia Earhart and the women following in her footsteps.

From 2026 to 2028, she is also serving as the Amelia Earhart Fellowship 90th Anniversary Ambassador.

This role forms part of Zonta International’s preparations to celebrate the fellowship’s 90th anniversary during the 2026–2028 Biennium.

How the Application Is Evaluated

Applications are reviewed by the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee.

The committee reviews submitted applications and recommends selected recipients to the Zonta International Board.

Applicants are evaluated according to the criteria established in the fellowship requirements and application.

The evaluation process is confidential.

Zonta International states that:

• Application evaluations are kept confidential.
• Evaluations are not disclosed to applicants.
• Applicants will be notified of their application status by the end of April.

Because the fellowship is highly competitive, prospective applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their academic excellence, doctoral progress and relevance of their research to aerospace engineering or space sciences.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship is:

15 November 2026

The complete application must be submitted by this date to be considered.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications. Preparing an application for a highly competitive doctoral fellowship may require sufficient time to gather academic information and prepare the required supporting materials.

Where Can Applicants Come From?

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is open to women of any nationality.

The program’s history demonstrates its international reach, with previous Fellows coming from 81 countries.

Therefore, eligible applicants can come from different countries and continents, including applicants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania and other regions, provided they satisfy all of the fellowship’s academic, doctoral-program and research requirements.

For example, an eligible woman pursuing a qualifying Ph.D. in Ghana or another African country can potentially apply, provided that she meets all of the stated requirements.

Nationality alone does not determine eligibility; the applicant’s doctoral program, research area, academic record and stage of study are particularly important.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is particularly relevant to women who are already undertaking advanced doctoral research in areas such as:

• Aerospace engineering
• Space sciences
• Aviation-related engineering research
• Astronomical research
• Space exploration technologies
• Aerospace systems
• Other doctoral research directly applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences

Applicants should carefully determine whether their specific research topic falls within the fellowship’s scope before submitting an application.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship offers more than financial assistance.

For doctoral researchers, receiving a prestigious international fellowship can provide recognition of their academic achievements and research potential.

The opportunity can help women:

1. Receive financial support
   The US$12,000 fellowship can help support advanced doctoral studies and research.
2. Gain international recognition
   Becoming an Amelia Earhart Fellow places a researcher within a distinguished international network of women working in aerospace and space sciences.
3. Strengthen their academic profile
   A competitive international fellowship can become a valuable addition to an academic CV and professional profile.
4. Join a distinguished fellowship legacy
   Fellows become part of a program that has supported women for almost nine decades.
5. Connect with an international community
   The program’s history includes Fellows from 81 countries, creating a broad international legacy.
6. Advance research in cutting-edge fields
   Successful applicants are contributing to scientific and technological developments in aerospace engineering and space sciences.
7. Develop future leadership opportunities
   Former Fellows have progressed into influential careers as scientists, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and public officials.

2026 Amelia Earhart Fellows

The 2026 cohort demonstrates the international nature of the fellowship.

The 2026 Amelia Earhart Fellows include women from countries and territories such as:

• India
• United States
• Canada
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Italy
• Ireland
• United Kingdom
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Hong Kong and China
• China

The 2026 cohort includes 30 Fellows, one of whom was designated the 2026 Sharon Langenbeck Amelia Earhart Fellow.

This international representation highlights the fellowship’s commitment to supporting talented women regardless of nationality.

Program Documents and Additional Information

Zonta International provides several documents relating to the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.

Prospective applicants can consult the available program materials for additional information, including:

• 2026 Amelia Earhart Fellows
• 2026 Amelia Earhart Fellows’ biographies
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship Map
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship School List
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship Statistics and Program Overview
• Amelia Earhart Fellowship Description

These materials can help prospective applicants understand the fellowship’s history, previous recipients, participating institutions and overall program structure.

Important Things Applicants Should Remember

Before applying, prospective candidates should carefully check that they satisfy the major requirements.

In particular, applicants should confirm that:

• They are women.
• They are of any nationality and meet the program requirements.
• They are pursuing a Ph.D. or doctoral degree.
• Their research is applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences.
• They are enrolled in a full-time doctoral program.
• They have completed at least one year of the doctoral program, or have a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field.
• They will not graduate from their doctoral program before April 2028.
• They are not applying for a second year as a previous Amelia Earhart Fellow.
• They are not excluded because of Zonta membership or employment.
• They submit the complete application by the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Amelia Earhart Fellowship?

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is an international fellowship program established by Zonta International to support women pursuing Ph.D. and doctoral research in aerospace engineering and space sciences.

How much funding does the fellowship provide?

Each selected Fellow receives US$12,000.

How many Fellows are selected?

Up to 30 Fellows are selected each year.

Is the fellowship open to international applicants?

Yes. Women of any nationality can apply if they satisfy the fellowship’s eligibility requirements.

Can a master’s student apply?

The fellowship is primarily for women pursuing a Ph.D. or doctoral degree. Applicants must either have completed at least one year of their doctoral program or have received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field at the time of application.

Can someone in a postdoctoral program apply?

No. Post-doctoral research programs are not eligible for the fellowship.

Can previous Amelia Earhart Fellows apply again?

Previous Amelia Earhart Fellows are not eligible to apply for a second year of the same fellowship.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline for the 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship is 15 November 2026.

When will applicants be notified?

Zonta International states that applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April.

What fields of study are eligible?

The fellowship focuses on doctoral research applied to aerospace engineering and space sciences.

Conclusion

The 2027 Amelia Earhart Fellowship represents a significant opportunity for women pursuing advanced doctoral research in aerospace engineering and space sciences. With up to 30 awards of US$12,000 each, the program provides meaningful financial support while connecting successful applicants to an internationally recognized legacy of women advancing aerospace, science and technology.

The fellowship is particularly attractive to women who have already progressed in their doctoral studies, demonstrate a superior academic record and are conducting research with a clear application to aerospace engineering or space sciences.

With recipients historically coming from 81 countries, the program has a strong international focus and is open to qualified women regardless of nationality.

Eligible applicants should carefully review the requirements and prepare their applications well before the deadline.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2026

For questions: programs@zonta.org

Official website: https://zonta.org/AEFellowship

Official Application Website: https://zontainternational.awardspring.com/

For more fellowship programs visit the OFY Website HERE