Top scholarships for Bangladeshi women in engineering

Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields continue to be underrepresented worldwide, including in Bangladesh. To bridge this gap, several organizations offer scholarships exclusively for women pursuing engineering and other STEM fields.

Whether you’re pursuing your master’s, or a Ph.D. in engineering, securing one or more of these scholarships can make your education more affordable.

1. Total number of Bangladeshi students in the U.S. (2023/2024):In 2023/2024, more than 17,000 Bangladeshi students were enrolled in U.S. institutions, which is an all-time high. This is a 26% increase from the previous academic year.Source: TBS News Bangladesh
2. Proportion of Bangladeshi students among all international students:The total number of international students in the United States for the 2023/24 academic year was 1,126,690. Bangladeshi students accounted for 1.5% of this total, with 17,099 Bangladeshi students enrolled.Source: IIE Open Doors 2024 Report
3. Record high international STEM enrollment in the U.S.International students continue to dominate STEM fields in U.S. universities, with nearly half (56%) of international students across academic levels pursuing STEM fields of study. One in four (25%) studied math and computer science, while nearly one in five (19%) studied engineering.. The STEM-OPT extension allows students to work in the U.S. for up to three years, significantly increasing their career prospects and return on investment.Source: IIE Open Doors 2024 Report

Many scholarships are available for women worldwide who want to pursue an education in engineering and STEM within Bangladesh, the U.S., or other international locations. Here are five top scholarship opportunities:

1. MPOWER Financing’s Women in STEM Scholarship

MPOWER provides financial aid to women from across the globe pursuing STEM education. It awards three Women in STEM scholarships to international female students in the U.S. or Canada.

• Grand prize: US$6,000 (BDT 660,000)
• Runner-up award: US$2,000 (BDT 220,000)
• Honorable mention: US$1,000 (BDT 110,000)

Learn more and apply

2. IEEE Frances B. Hugle Scholarship

This scholarship, awarded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), supports women excelling in engineering.

• Award amount: US$2,500 (BDT 275,000)
• Eligibility: Open to female IEEE student members who have completed at least two years of an undergraduate program in the U.S. that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.7/4.0, two essay responses, and two recommendation letters

Learn more and apply

3. Society of Women Engineers Scholarship

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) grants over 300 scholarships annually to women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, technology or computer science.

• Award amount: Between US$1,000 (121,430 BDT) and US$9,000 (1,092,870 BDT​)
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering or computer science program

Learn more and apply

4. SAE International Scholarships

SAE (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) offers multiple scholarships for women pursuing undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees, especially in the automotive and aerospace fields.

• Selection criteria: Academic excellence and demonstrated passion for engineering
• Award amounts: Vary based on the scholarship

Learn more and apply 

5. Amelia Earhart Fellowship

Zonta International funds this prestigious Ph.D.-level fellowship for female students in aerospace engineering or space sciences.

• Award amount: US$10,000 (1,214,300 BDT)
• Number of awards: Up to 30 globally each year

Learn more and apply

If you’re pursuing a career in engineering and need help funding your education, there are several STEM scholarships for female students to choose from. Research each one carefully, as eligibility criteria vary among scholarships.

Try to apply as early as possible, especially if you’re a Bangladeshi student applying for international scholarships, as you may need to submit additional documentation such as University Grants Commission (UGC)-attested transcripts, financial statements and proof of admission.