Program Elements
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) changes what’s possible for women in technology from K-12 through career by offering the kind of encouragement that combats isolation, enables long-term persistence, opens doors, and changes lives.
- AiC uses program elements that spark interest in computing (AspireIT); recognizes and celebrates women’s technical aspirations and abilities, as well as the educators who support them (AiC Award Recognitions); and, provides an expansive, supportive network (AiC Community).
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions.
- Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education.
- Since 2007, more than 17,000 students have received an Award for AiC.
- The multi-tiered award structure includes Winner, Honorable Mention, Rising Star, and Certificate of Distinction designations at National and Regional Affiliate levels, serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, all U.S. overseas military bases, and Canada.
- Regional Affiliate Award programs are hosted in 79 locations nationwide by NCWIT Alliance member organizations.
The NCWIT Award for AiC is sponsored by Apple, Bank of America, Microsoft, and Motorola Solutions Foundation.
The NCWIT Collegiate Award honors the outstanding computing accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary.
- Conferred annually, the award recognizes technical contributions to projects that demonstrate a high level of innovation and potential impact.
- The multi-tiered award structure includes Winner and Honorable Mention.
The NCWIT Collegiate Award is sponsored by Qualcomm and Amazon with additional support from Palo Alto Networks.
The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Educator Award identifies exemplary formal and informal educators who play a pivotal role in encouraging 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary to explore their interest in computing and technology.
- The award recognizes these educators for their efforts to promote gender equity in computing.
- Since 2011, more than 500 educators have been recognized and have received more than $225,000 in professional development funding to improve their computing education skills.
- The multi-tiered award structure includes Winner and Honorable Mention.
- Regional Affiliate Award programs are hosted in 79 locations nationwide by NCWIT Alliance member organizations.
The AiC Educator Award is sponsored by AT&T.
NCWIT AiC Award Recognitions
AiC Award Recognitions offer three distinct awards that honor aspirations, abilities, technical accomplishments, and influential guidance.
Who can apply?
- 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary
- students who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution (community college, college, or university) with a major or minor in a computing or engineering discipline, and also self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary
- formal and informal 9th-12th grade educators
NCWIT AiC Community
The AiC Community is a phenomenal network for technical women in computing and engineering who receive benefits such as private invitations to virtual and in-person meetups, visibility for technical achievements, computing outreach opportunities, hands-on activities for exploring computer science concepts, exclusive access to scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and more.
Who can participate?
- 9th-12th grade students who received an Award for AiC are automatically inducted.
- Students who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution (community college, college, or university) with a major or minor in a computing or engineering discipline, and also self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary, are welcome to apply.