Awards – International and District

Zonta International offers four international awards that are promoted at district and club levels.

Amelia Earhart Fellowships

Amelia Earhart was a Zontian and this remarkable woman is honoured through the Amelia Earhart Fellowships. This is a US $12,000 fellowship open to women who are registered full time in a  Ph.D./Doctoral program in fields relating to Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace or Space Sciences. Interested candidates need to complete the application themselves by November 15th 2026. Further details and information regarding applications and timelines can be found in this link. The District 23 Coordinator is Karen Reid.

 

Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award

The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award celebrates exceptional women entrepreneurs and leaders who are breaking barriers, and making a difference in their fields. By recognizing and supporting emerging women leaders, Zonta is investing in a future where women have an equal voice in shaping the decisions that affect workplaces, communities and economies.

Zonta International annually offers 10 international awards of US$5,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.

For eligibility criteria and further information, click here. Applications are made through local Zonta Clubs, and Districts. The deadline to have applications with the Award Coordinator is 16th November 2026 for Areas 1, 2, 4 and 5. Area 3 deadline is 9th November 2026. The District 23 Coordinator for this award is Linda Tinning.

Zonta Young Women in Leadership Awards

Now is the time for clubs to get involved with this wonderful program to seek out outstanding young women who are already making the world a better place. Let’s find them and celebrate them! There’s publicity material at our finger tips ready to be filled in for advertisements on line, in newspapers, community notice boards or in education institutions. All you need to do is go online to My Zonta, Tools, Award Scholarship and Fellowship tools, YWLA and all the documents are there. Among them are the 2027 Application Form, Award description, poster ready to fill in with your club’s deadline and address, President’s cover sheet and more. I would urge all Club YWLA co-ordinators to take some time to familiarise yourself with all the available material. If you require further support, please contact me as your District 23 YWLA Co-ordinator. Remember it’s not too late as the D23 deadline is 15 March 2027 for your winning applicant. The following dates are important to keep in mind:

  • August 2026 – all the documents should be available on Z.I. website for following year’s award.
  • September 2026 – early March 2027 – Clubs can choose a submission date for applications.
  • March 15th 2027 – club winning application is due to D23 YWLA Coordinator Joanne Metzger.
  • March 16th – 29th 2027 – a judging panel evaluates submissions and selects a winner. The panel will be made up of 3 past District Governors from 3 different states.
  • April 1st 2027 –District 23 Governor to receive winning application.
  • May 1st 2027 – Z.I. receives District winners to ratify.
  • June/July 2027 – Z.I. announces all District winners across Australia.

Zonta Women in STEM Award

Zonta encourages women to pursue education through the Zonta Women in STEM Award.   Zonta International offers 16 international awards of US$5,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.  Women who demonstrate ground-breaking research, pioneering discoveries, and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field of study are eligible to apply. Applicants are eligible if they are currently in their second year of an undergraduate program through to the final year of a graduate program.

The 2027 Zonta International STEM Award documentation is now available on the Zonta International Website.   Further information and application documents, please visit the Zonta International website by clicking here.

DUE DATE FOR D23 submissions to the District 23 Coordinator, Elizabeth Wilson by Friday, 11th December 2026.  Earlier submissions would be welcome.   Find out more about Elizabeth by clicking on her name under her photo.