Women in STEM: Scholarships and career paths for Nepali female students abroad
More Nepali women than ever are entering science, technology, engineering and math fields. But pursuing STEM education abroad comes with unique challenges, especially for women from Nepal. You may be the first in your family to study overseas or one of the few women in your program. On top of that, financial pressure and visa rules can make it hard to focus on your goals.
Still, many Nepali women are thriving in STEM careers across the U.S. and Canada. The key is having access to support such as international scholarships, inclusive employers and funding options that understand your journey.
This guide covers top international scholarships for Nepali women in STEM, career paths with real hiring potential and how to access funding that doesn’t require family guarantees.
Why STEM is a smart path for Nepali women
STEM degrees offer more than just good salaries. For Nepali women, these programs can:
- Open doors to work experience through optional practical training (OPT) or co-ops
- Increase chances of H-1B sponsorship or permanent residence
- Build global skills you can bring back to Nepal or apply anywhere
- Offer financial independence through high-paying roles
Fields like data science, software engineering, biotech and environmental science also give you options beyond the classroom, such as internships, research assistantships and part-time lab roles.
Most importantly, many STEM careers allow you to prove your value through skills, not just language fluency or cultural familiarity. This creates a more level field for Nepali women who are hardworking but less confident in English.
International scholarships for Nepali women in STEM
Scholarships play a huge role in helping international women in STEM. Some cover part of your tuition, while others offer full support for master’s-level programs.
Here are a few scholarship types to explore:
1. Scholarships specifically for women in STEM
- MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship
Open to international and DACA students, this scholarship awards up to US$6,000 to women pursuing STEM degrees in the U.S. or Canada. No cosigner or collateral required
Best for: Nepali students already accepted into a STEM program
- AAUW International Fellowships
The American Association of University Women offers fellowships to non-U.S. citizens pursuing full-time master’s or doctoral studies. STEM applicants are encouraged.
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
While many are for U.S. citizens, some programs are open to international women enrolled in U.S. engineering schools
2. University-specific awards
Many universities offer partial funding for women pursuing STEM-related master’s degrees. Look for:
- Scholarships from the engineering, science or computing departments
- Diversity-based awards open to female international students
- Assistantships that cover tuition in exchange for teaching or research work
3. General international scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (U.S.)
Offers full funding for Nepali students, including women in STEM fields
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Competitive but prestigious, these support doctoral studies in Canada
- EduPASS, Internationalscholarships.com or university financial aid offices
These may help you find lesser-known awards for female students
Most study abroad scholarships require early application and strong academic records. But personal stories also matter. As a Nepali woman, your perspective and ambition can help your application stand out.
How MPOWER Financing supports Nepali women in STEM
MPOWER Financing is one of the few lenders that designs financial support specifically for international women in STEM. That includes not just funding, but mentorship and career-building tools.
For Nepali female students pursuing STEM degrees in the U.S. or Canada, MPOWER offers:
- The MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship, awarding up to US$6,000 to help reduce financial burden
- No-cosigner student loans, so you don’t need to rely on family collateral or guarantors
- Supporting students at 500+ universities across the U.S. and Canada
- Fixed interest rates with no hidden fees
- Career and visa prep tools through the Path2Success program, including resume help, OPT timelines and job-search tools
For many women in Nepal, a lack of collateral or cosigner often blocks access to education abroad. MPOWER removes these barriers by evaluating international students based on future earning potential, not family assets.
Even more important, MPOWER celebrates stories from women like you. If you’re ready to lead in a STEM field but just need the right support to get started, this is a path worth exploring.
Career paths with OPT and long-term potential
For female students from Nepal, choosing a STEM major is only the first step. Picking a career path that allows you to work after graduation is just as important.
Here are a few STEM areas where employers value international talent and are more open to hiring through OPT or sponsoring H-1B visas:
- Software development and engineering
Large tech firms, mid-sized companies and startups all need skilled developers. Strong demand means more chances to grow
- Biotechnology and life sciences
Labs, research centers and health care companies hire international graduates for roles in research, data and regulatory work
- Data science and analytics
This is one of the fastest-growing fields, with jobs across finance, retail, health care and more. Roles often qualify for the STEM extension
- Civil or environmental engineering
These fields are popular with Nepali women and offer good job opportunities in sustainable design, water systems and climate resilience
- Cybersecurity and IT infrastructure
Employers in this space value technical skill and hands-on experience more than perfect communication. That makes it a good fit if you’re still building English confidence
In all of these areas, practical experience matters. Try to get involved in campus labs, capstone projects or internships, even unpaid ones. It makes your resume stronger and builds confidence for interviews.
