Grants for Women Returning to Work

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By Sara Cole
eHow Contributing Writer

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Many women take time off from their careers to start a family, and returning to the workforce can be daunting. Anyone who has been a mother can attest that raising children is an extremely challenging position. However, the experiences women gain at home are often not recognized by potential employers.

Instead, women re-entering the workforce have the additional challenges of reconnecting with their professional networks, updating themselves on advanced technology and competing with younger candidates. Fortunately, some grants are available to help women with this difficult process.

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Returning to the work force.

Career Development Grants

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is an organization committed to advancing the status of women and has assisted more than 10,000 women from more than 130 countries. Women with a B.A. who want to move forward in their careers, return to the workforce after an extended leave of absence or change careers may be eligible for the AAUW Career Development Grant.

Dress For Sucess

Dress for Success is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting women in the workplace. Their services can be particularly helpful to women returning to the workforce. Dress for Success provides each woman with two new outfits, one for the interview and a second to begin her new job. The organization also offers women career advice, job search assistance, technology courses, resume reviewing and interview preparations.

Please note, Dress for Success serves underprivileged women, and you must receive a referral to use their services. A listing of referral agencies can be found on each affiliates website, which is linked to by the main site (see Resources).

Moms Help Organization

Moms Help Organization assists mothers and provides them with services such as daycare subsidies and computer training to allow them to return to work.

M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship

The M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship is for women returning to a career in physics research. Women are eligible for a grant of up to $45,000. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for childcare; the remaining money should be used toward "salary, travel, equipment, and tuition and fees."

Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowship

Women living in the United Kingdom who have been out of the workforce for a minimum of two years and work in science, technology or engineering careers are eligible for the Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowship. Women who receive the fellowship will be hosted by an academic organization or research center where they will gain skills and experiences to help them re-enter the workforce.

Women's Return to Work Grants Program

Women's Information and Referral Centre (WIRC) in Australia developed a grant program for low-income women who are returning to the workforce. The grant specifically targets "women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young women and women with disabilities." Women are eligible to receive up to $1000. The grant can be used for career training, childcare costs, a workplace wardrobe or any other employment-related expenses.