Women’s Health Research & Innovation Scholarship 2026: $3,380 Funding Opportunity

The Women’s Health Research & Innovation Scholarship 2026 provides a funding opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in advancing research and innovation in women’s health. The scholarship focuses particularly on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME), two conditions that affect millions of people with menstrual cycles but remain poorly recognized within many healthcare systems. Applicants are expected to explain their personal or professional interest in PMDD and/or PME and describe a practical way their present or future work could contribute to better recognition, diagnosis, treatment, or clinical care. Students may also provide links to published research, personal websites, projects, or other materials that demonstrate their experience and commitment to the field.

The scholarship supports students working across a wide range of disciplines connected to women’s health, including medicine, neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, biomedical engineering, mental health, public health, nursing, pharmacy, and related areas. Eligible applicants may use their academic and research interests to explore improved diagnostic methods, new treatments, healthcare approaches, or innovative products designed to address challenges affecting women’s health. PMDD and PME are particularly important areas of research because they can have a significant impact on daily life, education, employment, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Applicants should clearly identify their area of interest and explain how their proposed academic or professional work could help improve understanding and access to appropriate care.

PMDD affects an estimated 1 in 20 people who experience menstrual cycles, while PME describes the worsening of existing conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety during the premenstrual phase. Together, these conditions are estimated to affect approximately 119 million people worldwide, yet many individuals experience significant delays before receiving an appropriate diagnosis. PMDD received formal diagnostic recognition in 2013, while PME remains without the same formal diagnostic status. This scholarship therefore offers students an opportunity to contribute to an area of women’s health that continues to require greater research attention, clinical education, and improved healthcare recognition. Applicants should use their application to demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue and present a specific, realistic approach that could help move PMDD and PME toward more consistent recognition and care.

We believe PMDD and PME must become a standard part of how clinicians are trained, how patients are screened, and how the medical community responds. This scholarship is inspired by over a decade of direct experience searching for solutions and regularly educating the very doctors who were sought out to help. We’re investing in students who will help make that experience unnecessary through research, clinical practice, education, or product innovation. If your work is meaningfully connected to PMDD or PME, we encourage you to apply.

To apply, tell us what inspired you to pursue a career in women’s health and how you hope to make a difference through your work. Additionally, please feel free to upload an example of a project, product, work, or research you’ve executed in women’s health and/or links to your research, website or other supplemental information/portfolio.

Selection Criteria:

Demonstrated Passion – A clear commitment to advancing women’s health specifically with premenstrual support, reflected in personal stories, experiences, or projects. Potential for Impact $3,380

Potential for Impact – Compelling vision for how your research, product ideas, or future endeavors could benefit premenstrual disorders and women’s health care on a larger scale, whether that’s through innovative devices, medical/mental healthcare practice, or foundational research.