Top 10 Women Scholarships Neutralizing Gender Bias in Asian Education Systems

• UNESCO reports over 65 million girls worldwide are still out of school, mainly in underdeveloped Asian nations, hindering socioeconomic progress
• Governments in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal are promoting gender equality in education through programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and targeted scholarships
• Top 10 women-focused scholarships in Asia are empowering female students to overcome barriers, lead development, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Women's education is widely accepted as a foundation to establish successful societies and strong nations. Though the world has made tremendous progress, UNESCO estimates that around 65 million girls globally are not in school, mainly in underdeveloped and developing nations in Asia. This continued gender imbalance in education greatly hinders socioeconomic development and sustains poverty and inequality cycles. Seeing this, many Asian governments have instituted specific policies to advance female education and challenge long-standing gender inequalities. India's leading program Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) introduced in 2015, tackles the falling child sex ratio as well as the educational enrollment of girls, demonstrating a governmental willingness toward gender equality.

In the same way, Bangladesh and Nepal have brought in scholarship programs and mandatory schooling legislation aimed at raising school attendance and staying on rates for girls. International organizations like UNICEF and UNESCO emphasize that investing in girls' education yields measurable benefits: improved maternal health, reduced child mortality, increased workforce participation, and enhanced national economic development. Data consistently show that nations promoting equal educational opportunities for women experience stronger social cohesion and accelerated progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In spite of all these efforts, financial and sociocultural burdens still prevent access to quality education among many girls. Scholarships for women are a vital instrument that closes this gap by offering essential resources and assistance, hence empowering female students to break past systemic barriers. Here, we give an overview of the Top 10 Women Scholarships in Asia that are making a significant contribution to the cause of gender equality in education, empowering women to become agents of change and leaders for sustainable development.

1. Women in Finance Scholarship by Numerix 2025 Numerix Women in Finance Scholarship is a $20,000 grant aimed at sponsoring women studying finance at the graduate level. It seeks to empower upcoming female leaders in financial asset management, market risk management, fixed-income, and derivatives finance for capital markets. It is available to women across the world with minimal work experience in the financial sector.

Eligibility:

• Female applicants worldwide
• Under 10 years of total work experience, with less than 5 years in finance
• Enrolled full-time in a Master's or PhD finance program at an accredited institution

Degree Programs:

• Master's or PhD in Finance

Deadline:

• Applications open on April 9, 2025, and close on May 30, 2025

2. Dissertation Fieldwork Grant 2025 Wenner-Gren Foundation's Dissertation Fieldwork Grant awards doctoral field research in anthropology as much as $25,000 for fieldwork costs. The award seeks to promote anthropological knowledge through creative and inter-disciplinary research. The candidate should be enrolled in a doctoral program and have finished all degree requirements except the dissertation by the project initiation date.

Eligibility:

• Enrolled in a doctoral program (or equivalent)
• Completed all degree requirements except the dissertation
• Open to all nationalities

Degree Programs:

• Doctoral (PhD) in Anthropology

Deadlines:

• May 1 (for project start dates between January 1 and June 30)
• November 1 (for project start dates between July 1 and December 31)

3. DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion Graphic Culture Research Grant 2025 The DNP Foundation provides grants for research in graphic design and art with the purpose of developing global graphic culture. The grant is available to researchers in any field, human science, or sciences. The grant covers one or two years, ¥500,000 at most per year.

Eligibility:

• Full-time or part-time researchers
• Postgraduate students, recommended by a university professor or equivalent

Degree Programs:

• Open to researchers in any field related to graphic culture

Deadline:

• Applications for 2025 are due by June 14, 2024

4. Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) Scholarship Awards 2025 AIWA gives scholarships to full-time Armenian female students pursuing higher education. Awards are determined by financial need and merit. The scholarship is available to undergraduate students in their junior or senior years and graduate students.

Eligibility:

• Female students of Armenian descent
• U.S. residents may apply if entering their second year or above

Degree Programs:

• Undergraduate (junior/senior) and graduate studies

Deadline:

• Applications are due in mid-April 2025

5. Humane Studies Fellowship at George Mason University 2025 The Humane Studies Fellowship funds graduate students engaged in liberty-enhancing research in the social sciences and humanities. Fellows are awarded funding to enable their dissertation or thesis research. The fellowship is intended to promote scholarly endeavor in advancing individual liberty.

Eligibility:

• Graduate students in humanities or social sciences with a focus on liberty

Degree Programs:

• Master's or PhD

Deadline:

• Applications for 2025 are due by January 31, 2025

6. Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship provides funding to early-career investigators conducting research in immunology or cancer immunology. The fellows are awarded a stipend and research stipend for three years. The fellowship seeks to further understanding of how the immune system relates to cancer.

Eligibility:

• Postdoctoral researchers with a doctoral degree by the award activation date

Degree Programs:

• Postdoctoral research in immunology or cancer immunology

Deadline:

• Applications are due on March 1 and September 1 annually

7. Narotam Sekhsaria Postgraduate Scholarship 2025 The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation provides interest-free loan scholarships to Indian students seeking postgraduate courses of study in India or overseas. The scholarship provides mentorship and networking. The organization seeks to assist students who have a consistently high academic record.

Eligibility:

• Indian students with a consistently high academic record

Degree Programs:

• Postgraduate studies in various fields

Deadline:

• Applications are due by March 23, 2025

8. AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship The AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship provides $10,000 to a female high school senior who plans to major in aerospace STEM. The scholarship is designed to inspire women to enter the aerospace profession. Candidates must prove financial need and high academic achievement.

Eligibility:

• Female high school seniors, U.S. citizens; intending to major in aerospace STEM fields

Degree Programs:

• Undergraduate studies in aerospace-related fields

Deadline:

• Applications are due by December 31 annually

9. AnitaB.org Funding for Women in Technology AnitaB.org provides grants to help women enter careers in the field of technology. The grants help improve the number of women in the tech field. The grants provide scholarships, fellowships, and grants for different levels of education.

Eligibility:

• Women pursuing careers in technology

Degree Programs:

• Various levels, including undergraduate and graduate studies

Deadline:

• Deadlines vary by program, check the official website for specific dates

10. Avanade STEM Scholarship The Avanade STEM Scholarship funds students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree programs. It seeks to diversify STEM fields. It offers financial support and mentorship.

Eligibility:

• Students pursuing degrees in STEM fields

Degree Programs:

• Undergraduate or graduate studies in STEM disciplines

Deadline:

• Deadlines vary, check the official website for specific dates

Conclusion

As Michelle Obama herself once stated, “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish”. These scholarships are doors to breaking ceilings and crafting futures, providing women and underrepresented students with the support they need to fly higher and craft a more inclusive tomorrow.