Zonta promotes gender equality by encouraging girls and women to pursue education and careers in traditionally male-dominated fields, leadership positions and influential roles in society. We award scholarships, grants and prizes to talented young women and help girls access education through international projects. The Lisa Andström Scholarship is District 20’s (Finland and Estonia) own scholarship.
The Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award aims to encourage young women to pursue leadership roles by recognising them for their leadership and achievements in volunteer work and their dedication to building a better world for women and girls.
Who is eligible to apply for the award?
Eligible applicants are women aged 16–19 (as of 1 April) who live in a Zonta district or are citizens of a Zonta country and who demonstrate the following:
❑ Active commitment to volunteer work
❑ Experience in local government, student government or leadership roles in the workplace (paid or unpaid)
❑ Achievements in volunteer leadership
❑ Knowledge of Zonta International and its programmes
❑ Support for Zonta International’s mission to build a better world for women and girls
Please note that applicants from geographical areas within the Zonta district that do not have clubs may apply through a Zonta e-Club or directly through the district to be eligible for international awards.
Members of Zonta clubs, direct members of Zonta International, and employees of Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for awards.
Previous district and international award recipients are not eligible to reapply for an award in a subsequent year.
DESCRIPTION
The Zonta Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Award encourages women to pursue education, create opportunities for themselves and seek leadership positions in technical fields.
Zonta International awards 16 international scholarships worth US$10,000 each, as well as a free one-year associate membership in Zonta International for the following fiscal year.
Learn more about the scholarship here.
ELIGIBILITY
The award is open to women aged 18 to 35 who are conducting groundbreaking research and demonstrating a pioneering spirit and innovative thinking in the advancement of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
You can check whether your field of study is one of the approved STEM fields on the list maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security: STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF)
APPLICATION PROCESS
Scholarships are applied for through Zonta clubs. Applicants can find their nearest Zonta club using the Club Locator tool at zonta.org/locateaclub to obtain the deadline and address to which the application should be submitted.
Please note that applicants from Zonta areas without clubs may apply through the Zonta e-Club.
More information about the next application cycle will be available in spring 2026.
The District Scholarship Committee will select one candidate from among the applicants, whose application will be sent to Zonta International to compete for scholarships.
Only applications written in English and received by the deadline will be accepted and considered.
DESCRIPTION
More and more women are in leadership positions, but they are still a minority among business leaders. Zonta encourages women to study business and become influential in business and society, for example by awarding scholarships and grants.
In 2025, Zonta International will award 10 international Women in Business Leadership Awards worth USD 10,000 each. The award includes a one-year complimentary membership in Zonta International.
ELIGIBILITY
Women who are between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application and who
APPLICATION PROCESS
Scholarships are applied for through Zonta clubs. Clubs in Finland and Estonia can be found at www.zonta.fi/kerhot. Contact your nearest club to enquire about the application period (which may vary from club to club) and further instructions. If there is no Zonta club near you, you can apply for the scholarship through the Zonta e-Club.
Further information about the scholarship can be found on the Zonta International website here.
Further information about the next application period will be available in spring 2026.
————————————————————————————————————-
Our 2024 scholarship recipient Lara Al Azawi
In December 2024, Lara Al Azawi received the Zonta International Jane McKlausman Women in Business Scholarship. Lara is studying finance at Aalto University and the London School of Business through the internationally renowned CEMS MiM programme. She is pursuing a double degree in finance at Aalto University and international leadership at the London School of Business. In addition, she volunteers to support young women in their careers.
The Zonta International Jane McKlausman Women in Business Scholarship will no longer be awarded under this name in the future, but has been replaced by the Zonta International Women in Business Leadership Scholarship.
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honour of the famous aviator and Zonta member Amelia Earhart.
Each year, 30 international scholarships of $10,000 are awarded.
The fellowship is intended for women pursuing a doctoral degree in a science or technology field related to space and the atmosphere.
Applications are submitted directly to Zonta International headquarters. Application instructions and forms can be found here.
The next application period will be in autumn 2026.
