MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship 2027: Deadline, Eligibility and Awards
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | MPOWER Financing Women in STEM Scholarship |
| Provider | MPOWER Financing |
| Host countries | United States and Canada |
| Level | Undergraduate and graduate STEM degree programs at MPOWER-eligible schools |
| Target group | Female international and DACA students |
| Award type | One-time tuition scholarship paid to the winner’s college/university |
| Awards | US$5,000 grand prize, US$2,000 first runner-up, US$1,000 second runner-up |
| Deadline | December 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Official source | https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/women-in-stem |
The MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship is a targeted award for female international and DACA students studying full-time in STEM fields at eligible schools in the United States or Canada. MPOWER states that applicants do not need to be MPOWER borrowers to apply.
This scholarship is smaller than a full-ride award, but it is useful because it is open to many STEM fields and has a verified December 31, 2026 deadline. Students building a women-in-STEM funding stack should compare it with `/schlumberger-foundation-faculty-for-future-2027-guide` and `/loreal-unesco-for-women-in-science-2027-guide`.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Grand prize | US$5,000 |
| First runner-up | US$2,000 |
| Second runner-up | US$1,000 |
| Payment method | Disbursed directly to the winner’s college or university after eligibility verification |
| Eligible study location | MPOWER-eligible schools in the U.S. or Canada |
| Borrower requirement | No MPOWER loan or borrower status required |
| Documentation timing | Transcript/admission letter and proof of citizenship, gender and immigration status requested after provisional selection |
MPOWER’s general scholarships page also lists a Global Citizen Scholarship with a December 31, 2026 deadline and awards from US$1,000 to US$8,000. For women in STEM, however, the dedicated Women in STEM page is the official source for this guide.
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be female.
- Be accepted at, or enrolled in, a full-time STEM degree program at an MPOWER-eligible school in the United States or Canada.
- Be an international student or DACA student permitted to legally study in the host country.
- For U.S. study, hold a valid visa permitting study, DACA status, or U.S. permanent resident status.
- For Canada study, hold Canadian permanent resident status or a valid Canadian study permit.
- Study in a STEM field as defined by MPOWER, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related areas.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You are a U.S. citizen studying in the United States.
- You are a Canadian citizen studying in Canada.
- Your school is not MPOWER-eligible.
- You are not studying full-time.
- Your program is medical or nursing; MPOWER’s STEM definition says medical and nursing programs are not included for this scholarship.
- You cannot provide proof of study status and immigration status if provisionally selected.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Confirm your school is MPOWER-eligible
The scholarship is tied to MPOWER-supported schools. Before writing essays, check that your U.S. or Canadian institution appears in MPOWER’s eligible school system.
Step 2: Confirm your program counts as STEM
MPOWER defines STEM broadly, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, physical sciences, agricultural science, computer science, data science, engineering and mathematics. Medical and nursing programs are excluded on the official page.
Step 3: Prepare your essay angle
MPOWER says winners are selected based on written essays, academic and professional distinction, potential contribution to a STEM field that benefits people or the planet, and role-model potential for women and girls in STEM.
Step 4: Submit the online scholarship application
Use the official MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship application link. Submit well before December 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Step 5: Keep documents ready for verification
MPOWER reduces document burden at application stage, but provisionally selected applicants must provide transcript or admission letter plus proof of citizenship, gender and immigration status.
MPOWER Women in STEM vs Related Awards
| Program | Level | Value | Deadline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPOWER Women in STEM | UG/graduate STEM | US$5,000 / US$2,000 / US$1,000 | Dec 31, 2026 | Female international/DACA STEM students in U.S./Canada |
| Schlumberger Faculty for the Future | PhD/postdoc | Discipline-specific support | Nov 6, 2026 | Women in STEM pursuing advanced research |
| L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science | PhD/postdoc/early career | Regional research grants vary | Regional cycles | Women researchers in science |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Master’s/PhD/postdoc | US$20,000-$50,000 | Sep 17, 2026 | Women studying in the United States |
Insider Tips
1. Make the essay measurable
MPOWER emphasizes the applicant’s potential contribution to STEM and society. Replace general ambition with a specific problem, population, method and intended impact.
2. Connect your study location to your goal
Show why your U.S. or Canadian program gives you tools, labs, mentors or industry exposure that connect directly to your STEM plan.
3. Do not ignore the role-model criterion
The official page mentions role models and advocates for women and girls in STEM. Include concrete mentoring, outreach, community teaching or leadership evidence.
4. Prepare verification files before selection
Even though documents are requested after provisional selection, delays can cost time. Keep your passport, visa/study permit, transcript and admission letter ready.
5. Stack it with bigger awards
Because the top award is US$5,000, treat this as gap funding. Pair it with institutional scholarships, assistantships, `/women-in-stem-scholarships-2026` and country-specific funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MPOWER Women in STEM deadline?
The official MPOWER page lists December 31, 2026 as the deadline. The terms section states the scholarship period ends at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Do I need to be an MPOWER borrower?
No. MPOWER states that applicants do not need to be borrowers or loan applicants if they meet scholarship eligibility.
Can undergraduate students apply?
Yes. MPOWER’s page covers full-time degree programs and states that eligible applicants may be undergraduate or graduate students in STEM.
Can DACA students apply?
Yes. DACA students studying in the United States are listed as eligible if they meet the rest of the requirements.
Are medical and nursing programs included?
No. MPOWER says medical and nursing programs are not included under this Women in STEM Scholarship definition.
Timeline Table
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| September-October 2026 | Confirm your school and program are eligible |
| November 2026 | Draft the essay and gather academic details |
| Early December 2026 | Submit a polished application rather than waiting for the final week |
| December 31, 2026 | Final application deadline, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Within about 8 weeks after deadline | MPOWER expects to notify winners after application deadline, per its scholarship FAQ |
| After provisional selection | Submit requested verification documents |
Your Action Plan
1. Confirm you are female, 18+, and legally able to study in the U.S. or Canada.
2. Check whether your school is MPOWER-eligible.
3. Confirm your program falls within MPOWER’s STEM definition.
4. Draft an essay centered on impact, leadership and representation.
5. Prepare proof of enrollment or admission and immigration status.
6. Submit before December 31, 2026.
7. Compare with `/scholarships-for-african-women-2027-guide` and `/schlumberger-foundation-faculty-for-future-2027-guide` if you need larger or research-level funding.
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Share this with someone who is a woman in STEM studying in the U.S. or Canada and needs a December 2026 scholarship deadline.