The Search is ON! Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award
Application Form (PDF)
Description
The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award celebrates excellence and recognizes
outstanding achievements by women between 18-35 years of age who are driving
innovation and creating an impact in the business world. This prestigious award honors
exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct and significant
contributions while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate
justice.
The program operates at the Zonta club, district and international levels.
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.
Timetable
Clubs determine their own timelines for receipt of applications
Club recipient is selected and application is sent to governor.................................................................................... 15 September 2025 or
deadline determined by the district
District applicant selected and application received by Zonta International Headquarters........................................... 15 October 2025
Official announcement of international recipients.................................................................................................................... December 2025
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.
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 eligible to apply. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.
Applicants for the 2026 Zonta Women in STEM Award may not also apply for the 2025 Zonta Women in Business
Leadership Award.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants must locate a Zonta club near them by using the Club Locator at zonta.org/locateaclub to receive the
deadline and an address to submit application to, or for assistance, email your name and contact information to Zonta
International Headquarters at programs@zonta.org. Note that applications must be submitted to a Zonta club or district
in the language(s) accepted by the club or district by the deadline printed on the application. Only typed applications will
be accepted and considered.
Application Requirements
❑ Completion of the official application, including essay, (may be downloaded from the Zonta International
website, www.zonta.org).
❑ Verification of current enrollment by school/institute official (if applicable), or
❑ Letter from employer confirming employment (if applicable). The letter from employer must be on letterhead
with signature from the employer stating the applicant's date of hire and job title.
❑ Two recommendations from adults, not related to the applicant, such as teachers, school officials, employee
supervisors or business leaders, which must be sent directly to the Zonta club or district and not through the
applicant.
Supporting documentation not requested as part of the application will not be considered. All applications and
supporting information become the property of Zonta International. Zonta International has final authority over any
aspect of the awards.
Application Process
The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the
deadline given by the individual club. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must
contact a Zonta club for deadline information. Zonta International Headquarters does not hold a list of all clubs’
deadlines. The club evaluating committee will consider applications and select the club awardee. Zonta clubs each select
one application to send to their respective Zonta governor.
A district evaluating committee reviews the applications and selects one applicant per district to submit to
Zonta International Headquarters. Districts with at least 1,200 members as of 31 May 2024 may submit two
applications. The International Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award Jury will select 10 international
Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award recipients from the district applicants received at Zonta
International Headquarters.
How May I Use the Award Funds?
1. There are no restrictions on the use of funds.
2. Please note: If the applicant is studying at a secondary school, university or college, Zonta International is offering
a “scholarship” type of payment to be used for tuition and/or living expenses. Please see below under Tax
Considerations.
3. Recipients are not permitted to defer the Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award.
4. Recipients may accept additional grants and awards from other sources.
Tax considerations
The following considerations will help define which type of payment will fit the applicant’s purposes best.
❑ "Award": with no restrictions for use. As an award, it is taxable income under U.S. tax regulations. To comply
with the law, all awardees will receive tax forms. Also, according to U.S. tax regulations, 30% of the award must
be withheld from awards made to non-U.S. residents. If Zonta International is notified that there is a U.S. tax
treaty with the resident's country, the withholding will be appropriately adjusted.
❑ "Scholarship": to be used for tuition, fees and materials (books, supplies and equipment) required for courses at
a secondary school, college or university only. As a scholarship to be used for tuition, fees and materials, the
income is tax free.
❑ "Scholarship": to be used for living expenses while attending a secondary school, college or university. Although
tuition and related expenses are tax free, income used for living expenses is considered taxable income. Tax
forms will be provided to all awardees, as required. Withholdings range from $0 (tax treaty), 14% (appropriate
student VISA) to 30% for non-U.S. residents.
❑ Supplemental awards and scholarships that are paid directly paid by a club or district will follow the tax
regulations of their taxing authority.
