Young Women in Leadership (YWIL) Award

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.  

Who is Eligible?

Women, aged 16-19 on 1st April each year, living in a Zonta district or who 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.

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. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply for the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Committee or jury members or any member involved in the selection process should follow the Zonta International Conflict of Interest Policy in the selection of awardees. 

Z club and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply. Previous district and international recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year. 

Process: 

Applications begin at the local club level.  Recipients of the Zonta Newport Harbor YWIL Award receive $1,000 and are then promoted to the district level.  

Applications for 2025 are now open.  The application deadline is March 22, 2025.    Please download the application below.  If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your application, please email -  smanjou@gmail.com

 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.

Who is Eligible?

 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.

Not currently accepting applications for 2025. Estimated for September. 2025  Please download the application below.  If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your application, please email smanjou@gmail.com

The goal of the Zonta International STEM Award Program is to encourage women to pursue education, career opportunities and leadership roles in STEM fields. 

Who is Eligible?

 Women of any age and nationality, pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)  degree program at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in  the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.  Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute. 

Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. Applicants must be in school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before April 2024. Previous district and international Women in Technology Scholarship recipients may not apply for the Women in STEM Scholarship. Applicants for the 2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship may not also apply for the 2023 Women in STEM Scholarship. 

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants,  adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to  apply for the Scholarship. „ Golden Z club members are eligible to apply. „ Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located will be  considered and are eligible to apply for the international scholarships via a Zonta district/region.  

 Applications begin at the local club level.  Each club will send their selection and one award will be given out for each of the 31 Zonta districts for $5,000.

Applications are not currently being accepted. Estimated for December 2025.    Please download the application below.  If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your application, please email -  smanjou@gmail.com