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Paula Florez Salcedo awarded AAUW International Fellowship

As doctoral candidate in Neurobiology at University of Utah Health, she will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) awarded one of its 2019–20 fellowships and grants to Paula Florez Salcedo, a doctoral candidate in neurobiology at University of Utah Health, who received an International Fellowship. Recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls. Congratulations!

AAUW is one of the world’s oldest leading supporters of graduate women’s education. Since 1888, it has awarded more than $115 million in fellowships, grants and awards to 13,000 recipients from more than 145 countries. For the 2019–20 academic year, AAUW awarded more than $4 million in fellowships and grants to roughly 260 scholars, research projects and programs promoting education and equity for women and girls.

“In the 130 years that AAUW has been providing funding, our fellows and grantees have contributed so much to their schools, their communities and to society at large,” said Kim Churches, chief executive officer of AAUW. “We know that this year’s recipients will continue in that esteemed tradition, and we are honored to provide the resources they need to excel in their academic work—and to ultimately make a difference in the world.”

Educational funding is especially important given that women are disproportionately burdened by student debt.  And their ability to pay off that debt is hampered by a lifelong pay gap that affects women in nearly every profession. The pay gap widens over time and has consequences on all aspect of a woman’s financial life, from paying for an education to saving for a comfortable retirement.  AAUW’s awards help to alleviate the burden of student debt so women can focus on developing their skills and experience.

Applications open Aug. 1 each year. Deadlines vary by program. To find out more about this year’s exceptional class of awardees, visit the online directory.


The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Since AAUW’s founding in 1881, our members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day—educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW’s fellowships and grants have helped scholars and activists overcome barriers to education and advancement for 130 years. Learn more and join us at aauw.org.