Amelia Earhart Fellowship |
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Application Deadline November 15th
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Program Background/Statistics - January 2012
Purpose
To advance the status of women through encouragement and financial support of women
pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related
engineering. The Fellowships, established in 1938 as a living memorial to Zontian and aviatrix
Amelia Earhart, encourage women to expand their career options beyond traditional
boundaries.
Program Statistics
Since the inception of the program in 1938, there have been 1,333 Fellowships totaling
US$7.5 million given to 929 Fellows from 65 countries.
The Fellowship
Originally envisaged in 1938 as a US$500 loan, the award was changed to a scholarship the
following year. In 1964, the scholarships became fellowships to make the award more specific.
In 1984, the Fellowship amount was increased to US$6,000. In 2008, the Fellowship amount
was increased to US$10,000.
Years Amount of Fellowship
2008-Present US$10,000
1984 -2007 US$6,000
1979-1983 US $5,000
1976-1978 US $4,000
1970-1975 US $3,000
1959-1969 US $2,500
1957-1958 US $1,800
1953-1956 US $1,200
1948-1952 US $1,000
1940-1947 US $500
How Does the Program Support Zonta’s Mission to Advance the Status of Women?
The Amelia Earhart Fellowships focus on eliminating the gender bias that women face in
pursuing doctoral degrees in the sciences. Women are beginning to demonstrate a progression
from limited representation in aerospace-related sciences to being leaders in the field. During
the first years of the program, the awards committee had trouble finding qualified applicants,
and worked as mentors with potential applicants to help them become qualified for the awards.
Today, as evidence of the increasing numbers of women in aerospace-related sciences and
engineering, the challenge is choosing the most promising women from among the many 2
qualified applicants. In addition, while professional and academic recommendations in this field
were once written exclusively by males, many of today’s applicants receive recommendations
from respected professors and professionals who are past Fellows themselves.
How Many Fellows are Chosen on an Annual Basis?
Since 1996, 35-40 awards have been given to Fellows around the globe each year.
How are the Fellows Chosen?
Candidates for the Amelia Earhart Fellowships are required to fill out an application, which
includes information on their academic background, their professional goals, and their research
program. In addition, the candidates submit three academic and/or professional references and
their academic transcripts. The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee,
whose members are all previous Fellows and Zontians, reviews the applications and
recommends recipients to the Zonta International Board of Directors (or the Executive
Committee acting on its behalf) for approval.
Current Fellows may apply to renew the Fellowship for a second year and undergo the same
application and evaluation procedures as first-time applicants.
How are the Fellowships Awarded?
The monetary awards are sent directly to the Fellows after they have returned the appropriate
address, enrollment verification and tax information forms. In addition, each Fellow receives a
certificate and wings pin. (First time recipients obtain the two items. Second time recipients
receive a certificate only.) These items are sent to the District Governor (or the governor’s
designate) in the area where the Fellow is studying. The District may invite the Fellow(s) to
attend a District Conference (or some other high profile Zonta event) to make a presentation.
Other options include having the Area Director, District Amelia Earhart Chairman or Club
President present the items at a local event.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted by email, fax or mail, email submissions are preferred. Applications,
recommendations, transcripts, and verification of enrollment for 2012 Amelia Earhart
Fellowships must be received or post-marked by 15 November 2011 to be considered.
Applications that are incomplete or late due to postal delays will not be considered
To advance the status of women through encouragement and financial support of women
pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related
engineering. The Fellowships, established in 1938 as a living memorial to Zontian and aviatrix
Amelia Earhart, encourage women to expand their career options beyond traditional
boundaries.
Program Statistics
Since the inception of the program in 1938, there have been 1,333 Fellowships totaling
US$7.5 million given to 929 Fellows from 65 countries.
The Fellowship
Originally envisaged in 1938 as a US$500 loan, the award was changed to a scholarship the
following year. In 1964, the scholarships became fellowships to make the award more specific.
In 1984, the Fellowship amount was increased to US$6,000. In 2008, the Fellowship amount
was increased to US$10,000.
Years Amount of Fellowship
2008-Present US$10,000
1984 -2007 US$6,000
1979-1983 US $5,000
1976-1978 US $4,000
1970-1975 US $3,000
1959-1969 US $2,500
1957-1958 US $1,800
1953-1956 US $1,200
1948-1952 US $1,000
1940-1947 US $500
How Does the Program Support Zonta’s Mission to Advance the Status of Women?
The Amelia Earhart Fellowships focus on eliminating the gender bias that women face in
pursuing doctoral degrees in the sciences. Women are beginning to demonstrate a progression
from limited representation in aerospace-related sciences to being leaders in the field. During
the first years of the program, the awards committee had trouble finding qualified applicants,
and worked as mentors with potential applicants to help them become qualified for the awards.
Today, as evidence of the increasing numbers of women in aerospace-related sciences and
engineering, the challenge is choosing the most promising women from among the many 2
qualified applicants. In addition, while professional and academic recommendations in this field
were once written exclusively by males, many of today’s applicants receive recommendations
from respected professors and professionals who are past Fellows themselves.
How Many Fellows are Chosen on an Annual Basis?
Since 1996, 35-40 awards have been given to Fellows around the globe each year.
How are the Fellows Chosen?
Candidates for the Amelia Earhart Fellowships are required to fill out an application, which
includes information on their academic background, their professional goals, and their research
program. In addition, the candidates submit three academic and/or professional references and
their academic transcripts. The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee,
whose members are all previous Fellows and Zontians, reviews the applications and
recommends recipients to the Zonta International Board of Directors (or the Executive
Committee acting on its behalf) for approval.
Current Fellows may apply to renew the Fellowship for a second year and undergo the same
application and evaluation procedures as first-time applicants.
How are the Fellowships Awarded?
The monetary awards are sent directly to the Fellows after they have returned the appropriate
address, enrollment verification and tax information forms. In addition, each Fellow receives a
certificate and wings pin. (First time recipients obtain the two items. Second time recipients
receive a certificate only.) These items are sent to the District Governor (or the governor’s
designate) in the area where the Fellow is studying. The District may invite the Fellow(s) to
attend a District Conference (or some other high profile Zonta event) to make a presentation.
Other options include having the Area Director, District Amelia Earhart Chairman or Club
President present the items at a local event.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted by email, fax or mail, email submissions are preferred. Applications,
recommendations, transcripts, and verification of enrollment for 2012 Amelia Earhart
Fellowships must be received or post-marked by 15 November 2011 to be considered.
Applications that are incomplete or late due to postal delays will not be considered
