IFUW's competitions are normally held every two years or three years. The most recent competition offered awards for the 2005/2006 academic year. The deadline for the next competition has not yet been announced.

IFUW fellowships and grants are open only to women graduates who are members of IFUW's national federations and associations and to IFUW International Members.

The awards are intended for the second and subsequent years of a doctoral programme and for post-doctoral studies. First year doctoral students do not qualify. A small number of awards may be available for Masters' level studies.

Students in any branch of learning may apply; however, priority is given to proposals related to IFUW priorities. These include the issues outlined in our Programme of Action, as well as to the improvement of the status of women and girls or women and to promotion of women in scientific and technological careers.

The awards are available for use in any country; preference is given to women whose work will be carried out in a countries other than their home countries or the ones in which they received their previous education.
   

• Fellowships are for 8 to 12 months of work. They are meant to encourage advanced scholarship and original research. Applicants must be well advanced in their research. First year doctoral students and applicants just beginning their research are not eligible.
• Grants are for a minimum of 2 months of work. They are given to help women graduates to obtain specialized training and to carry out independent research.
• IFUW Recognition Awards are for a minimum of 2 months of work.
• Certain awards carry additional restrictions. The British Federation Crosby Hall Fellowship and the Marjorie Shaw International Fellowship are reserved for women whose study or research will take place in Great Britain. The Dorothy Leet Grants are reserved for women graduates from countries with a low per capita income and those who either wish to work as experts in these countries or whose research is of value to such countries.
• All candidates must have obtained admission to the proposed place of study prior to applying to IFUW's competition. A letter of admission from the university or institution where the research is taking or will take place must accompany the application.
• No assistance is given for attending conferences or for direct family support.

The awards are not renewable.  

• The awards offered vary. Normally 16 to 25 fellowships and grants are offered in each competition.
• Fellowships are the equivalent of 8,000 to 10,000 Swiss francs.
• Grants are from 3,000 to 6,000 Swiss francs.
• IFUW Recognition Awards are normally 1,000 Swiss francs.

Examples of awards offered in the recent competition include:
British Federation Crosby Hall Fellowship - 2500 pounds sterling
CFUW/A. Vibert Douglas Fellowship - 12,000 Canadian dollars
Marjorie Shaw International Fellowship - 3500 pounds sterling
Ida Smedley MacLean Fellowship - 8,000 Swiss francs
Ruth Bowden International Fellowship - 8,000 Swiss francs
Winifred Cullis Grant - 5000 Swiss francs
Dorothy Leet Grant - 4500 Swiss francs
NZFGW Daphne Purves Grant - 4000 Swiss francs
IFUW Recognition Award - 1000 Swiss francs

• The application package will not be available until ten months before the next competition.
• Members of IFUW's national federations and associations must obtain the application package from and apply through their respective national headquarters.
• The preliminary screening for national members will take place at the national level. Each federation and association may choose up to three candidates for consideration in the final selection round.
• IFUW International Members must apply obtain the application package from and apply through IFUW Headquarters in Geneva.
• There will be a preliminary screening for individual members similar to the national pre-screening.
  Motivation for research, study or training
• Originality and feasibility of proposed plan of research/study/training
• Extent to which the specialized knowledge and skills to be acquired will benefit others or further the applicant's career
• Planned work or activity after completion of the research/study/training
• Preference will be given to candidates whose research, study or training is to be undertaken in a country other than the one in which the applicant received her education or in which she habitually resides.

Special consideration will be given to proposals which relate directly to IFUW's priorities.