Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they still comprise a minority of leaders in the business world. Women hold nearly 34% of committee chairs in the S&P 500 and 31% of director seats, as of March 2023. Only 8.2% of S&P 500 company CEOs are women. 

The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award acknowledges and celebrates women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct and make significant contributions to their respective industries while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice. 

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

Women, aged 18-35 at the time of application, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.

• Exceptional leadership in a business-related field of study or industry.
• Entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ethical conduct.
• Significant contributions to addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.

Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards.

Application

Applications must be completed and return to CapeZontaService@gmail.com by May 1.

Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (formerly the Young Women in Public Affairs Award) recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.

Since 1990, Zonta has given 1,128 awards, totaling US$1,673,750 to 956 young women from 61 countries.

The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.  

Our Zonta local club offers a $1,000 scholarship, and Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of $5,000 (more information found here).

Women, aged 16-19 on 1 April each year, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta district/region, or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.

• Active commitment to volunteerism.
• Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
• Volunteer leadership achievements.
• Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
• Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.

https://zonta.org/images/docs/myzonta/tools/awardscholarshipfellowshiptools/YWLA/2025%20Zonta%20Young%20Women%20in%20Leadership%20Award%20Application_30Dec2024.pdf

Applications must be completed and return to CapeZontaService@gmail.com by March 1, 2025.

Globally, women make up around 25 percent of the workforce in the aerospace industry. In an effort to carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship. 

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship was established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 35 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. It may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.

Women of any nationality pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible. It is imperative that students be registered in a full-time Ph.D./doctoral program and have completed at least one year of that program or have received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field at the time the application is submitted. Applicants must not graduate from their Ph.D. or doctoral program before April 2023. Please note that post-doctoral research programs are not eligible for the Fellowship.

Application

Applications must be completed and return to programs@zonta.org by November 1.

he Zonta Women in STEM Award uplifts innovation and celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of women between 18-35 years of age in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and acknowledge their groundbreaking research, pioneering discoveries, and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in a STEM field. By recognizing and supporting these exceptional women, Zonta aims to inspire future generations and foster inclusivity and diversity in the world of STEM.

Zonta International offers 16 international awards of US$10,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.

Women, aged 18-35 years old at the time of application, who demonstrate groundbreaking research, pioneering discoveries and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in a science, technology, engineering or mathematic (STEM) field of study or industry, are eligible to apply. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Designated Degree Program List can be used to determine if your field of study is eligible: ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf.

Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards.

https://zonta.org/images/docs/myzonta/tools/awardscholarshipfellowshiptools/womeninstem/2026%20Zonta%20Women%20in%20STEM%20Award%20Application.pdf

Applications must be completed by November 1, 2025.