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ACU Early Career Conference Grants 2026/27 — Up to £2,000 for Commonwealth Researchers

Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

The Association of Commonwealth Universities is offering seven Early Career Conference Grants of up to £2,000 each to help emerging researchers and academics at ACU member universities participate in international conferences in another Commonwealth country. Funding can support registration, travel, accommodation, visas and insurance for eligible researchers presenting their work or chairing a conference session.

Who can apply

  • Early-career researchers employed at an ACU member university
  • Early-career academics employed at an ACU member university
  • Applicants within seven years of starting their academic research or teaching career
  • Applicants with qualifying career breaks may receive appropriate allowance when assessing the seven-year limit
  • Researchers who will chair a session at the proposed conference
  • Researchers who will present a paper at the proposed conference
  • Researchers who will present a poster at the proposed conference
  • Applicants who have not previously received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant or the former Early Career Academic Grant

Focus areas

  • Academic research
  • Research dissemination
  • International conference participation
  • Early-career researcher development
  • Academic networking
  • Knowledge exchange
  • Professional development
  • Research visibility
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • International academic collaboration

Requirements

  • Applicant must be employed as an early-career researcher or academic at an ACU member university
  • Applicant must normally be within seven years of starting their academic research or teaching career
  • Eligible career breaks may be taken into account when assessing the seven-year period
  • Proposed conference must take place in a Commonwealth country
  • Conference must be outside the applicant's country of work
  • Conference must take place between February 2027 and January 2028
  • Applicant must be chairing a session, presenting a paper or presenting a poster
  • Applicant must not have travelled for work purposes outside their region of employment since starting their academic career
  • Applicant must not have previously received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant or former Early Career Academic Grant
  • Applicant must provide details of the proposed conference and a copy of the relevant abstract
  • Applicant must explain how the conference relates to their research and professional development
  • Applicant must explain how knowledge gained from the conference will be shared
  • Applicant must identify relevant Sustainable Development Goals connected to their research
  • Applicant must provide a detailed letter or email of support from their Head of Department
  • Applicants seeking support for in-person participation must provide a breakdown of the requested costs
  • Only one application may be submitted per grant call

Application steps

  • Confirm that you are employed as an early-career researcher or academic at a current ACU member university and meet the seven-year career requirement
  • Identify an eligible conference in another Commonwealth country taking place between February 2027 and January 2028 where you will chair a session, present a paper or present a poster
  • Prepare your conference details, abstract, expected professional-development benefits, knowledge-sharing plan and connection to relevant Sustainable Development Goals
  • Obtain a detailed supporting letter or email from your Head of Department and prepare a realistic budget covering eligible conference expenses
  • Register for or sign in to MyACU, complete the official online grant application and submit before 13 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This is not a general travel bursary. Applicants must already be employed as early-career researchers or academics at an ACU member university and must actively participate in the conference by chairing a session, presenting a paper or presenting a poster. One unusually strict restriction deserves attention: applicants cannot have previously travelled outside their region of employment for work purposes, including conferences, since beginning their academic career. Candidates should check this before spending time on an application. A strong application should show that the chosen conference directly advances the applicant's research and career, explain how knowledge will be shared with colleagues or students after returning, and demonstrate a clear relationship between the research and relevant Sustainable Development Goals. Applicants should also secure the required Head of Department support early.

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