Zonta International Scholarships: Empowering Women Through Education and Leadership
Zonta International is an organization dedicated to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. A key component of this mission is providing scholarships to women pursuing education and leadership roles in various fields. These scholarships aim to address gender disparities and create opportunities for women to excel in their chosen careers.
Amelia Earhart Fellowship
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is awarded annually to women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related engineering, expanding opportunities for women pursuing advanced studies in the typically male-dominated fields. The 2025 Amelia Earhart Fellowship application is closed.
Young Women in Leadership Award
The Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award) recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,165 awards, totaling US$1,858,750 to 993 young women from 60 countries. The program operates at the Zonta club, district, and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.
Eligibility for the Young Women in Leadership Award
Women, aged 16-19 on 1st April each year, living in a Zonta district or who are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply:
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- Active commitment to volunteerism.
- Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
- Volunteer leadership achievements.
- Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
- Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.
Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.
Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members or any member involved in the selection process should follow the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy in the selection of awardees. Z club and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply. Previous district and international recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year.
Application Process and Deadline for the Young Women in Leadership Award
The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the deadline printed on the application. The 2026 Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award application is now open.
Women in Business Scholarship
The Zonta Women in Business Scholarship supports women pursuing undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management (formerly known as the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship). The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region, and international levels.
Women of any age, pursuing an accredited business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field, are eligible and encouraged to apply.
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Program Levels and Awards
The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta clubs provide awards for club recipients. Zonta District 10 awards its recipient $1000. Each district/region will nominate a district/region applicant to submit to Zonta International; however, there will no longer be district- or region-level awards.
Eligibility for the Women in Business Scholarship
Women of any age, pursuing an accredited business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field, are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Application Status
Applications for the 2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship have closed. The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship 2022 application can be downloaded in Word format.
Women in STEM Scholarship
Women pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree program, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field, are eligible to apply.
Women’s progress in the last century has dramatically increased the opportunities available to women. Yet, women’s participation in leadership positions in science, technology, engineering, and math continues to lag behind. According to a 2014 Catalyst Census [1], women hold only 4.2 percent of the CEO positions and 19.2 percent of board seats at S&P 500 companies. To encourage more women to pursue education and careers in business, Zonta International established the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.
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Sara Metcalf Scholarship Award
The Sara Metcalf Scholarship Award is given in honor of a former Zontian from the Zonta Club of Shreveport, Louisiana. Mrs. Metcalf was a member of Zonta for many years. Having served as local, district and international Z Club Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Metcalf was instrumental in the formation and guidance of the Z Club and Golden Z Club programs.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
While Zonta International offers specific scholarships, other opportunities exist to support students in their educational pursuits. These include:
- "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. It is open to all residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 17 or older at the time of entry.
- Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
- Christian Connector Scholarship: Offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
- StudentScholarships.org Scholarship: Open to anyone between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school.
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