ACU Early Career Conference Grants 2026–2027 (Up to GBP 2,000)

Applications are now open for the ACU Early Career Conference Grants 2026–2027, a competitive funding opportunity offered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) to support emerging researchers and academics in attending and actively participating in international conferences across the Commonwealth. The programme aims to help early career academics gain valuable international exposure, expand their professional networks, present their research, and strengthen collaboration between universities across Commonwealth countries.

The grant is intended for researchers employed at ACU member universities who have identified an eligible in-person conference taking place in another Commonwealth country between February 2027 and January 2028. Rather than simply funding conference attendance, the programme supports researchers who will actively contribute by presenting a paper, presenting a poster, or chairing a conference session. This ensures that recipients not only benefit from the conference experience but also showcase their research to an international academic audience.

Only seven grants will be awarded during this funding round, making the programme highly competitive. Successful applicants will receive up to GBP 2,000 to help cover conference related expenses such as registration fees, travel, accommodation, visa costs, and travel insurance. The programme forms part of ACU's broader mission to strengthen research capacity, promote international collaboration, and support professional development across Commonwealth universities.

About the Grant

Academic conferences provide important opportunities for researchers to present new findings, receive expert feedback, exchange ideas, establish international collaborations, and stay informed about the latest developments in their disciplines. For researchers at the beginning of their academic careers, these experiences can significantly influence future teaching, research productivity, publication opportunities, and career progression.

Recognizing these benefits, the Association of Commonwealth Universities established the Early Career Conference Grants to reduce financial barriers that often prevent emerging academics from participating in international conferences. The programme supports researchers who have not previously had significant opportunities for international work related travel, helping them gain valuable global exposure while strengthening research communities across Commonwealth nations.

Grant Benefits

Successful applicants will receive funding of up to GBP 2,000, which may be used to cover:

• Conference registration fees.
• Flights and other eligible travel costs.
• Accommodation.
• Visa application fees.
• Travel and health insurance.

Beyond financial support, recipients also benefit from:

• International exposure through conference participation.
• Opportunities to present research to a global academic audience.
• Professional networking with researchers from across the Commonwealth.
• Opportunities to establish future research collaborations.
• Enhanced academic visibility and career development.
• Exposure to current developments within their field of study.

All grant recipients are required to submit a post-award report after completing their conference participation.

Eligible Conferences

To qualify for funding, the proposed conference must:

• Be an in-person academic conference.
• Take place in a Commonwealth country.
• Be outside the applicant's country of employment.
• Be held between February 2027 and January 2028.
• Be directly relevant to the applicant's research or academic discipline.

Applicants must also demonstrate active participation in the conference by serving as one of the following:

• Paper presenter.
• Poster presenter.
• Session chair.

Simply attending a conference without presenting or chairing a session is not sufficient for eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be an early-career researcher or academic employed at an ACU member university.
• Be within seven years of beginning their academic research or teaching career (excluding approved career breaks).
• Have identified an eligible conference in another Commonwealth country.
• Be presenting a paper, presenting a poster, or chairing a conference session.
• Meet all eligibility requirements outlined by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Applicants cannot:

• Have previously travelled for work purposes (including conference attendance) outside their region of employment since the beginning of their academic career.
• Have previously received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant (formerly known as the Early Career Academic Grants).

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare:

• A completed online application through the MyACU portal.
• Details of the proposed conference.
• Evidence of conference participation (paper, poster, or session chair).
• Conference abstract.
• Explanation of how the conference supports their research.
• Statement describing expected professional development outcomes.
• Plan for sharing knowledge gained with colleagues after the conference.
• Support letter or email from their Head of Department.
• Budget outlining eligible conference expenses for funding requested.

Applicants without an existing MyACU account must register before accessing the application form.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Eligibility.
• Academic and research potential.
• Relevance of the proposed conference.
• Quality of the planned conference contribution.
• Expected professional development impact.
• Potential for knowledge sharing within the applicant's institution.
• Alignment between the proposed conference and the applicant's research area.
• Overall quality and completeness of the application.

How to Apply

To apply for the ACU Early Career Conference Grants 2026–2027:

1. Confirm that your university is an ACU member institution.
2. Identify an eligible in-person conference taking place between February 2027 and January 2028 in another Commonwealth country.
3. Ensure that you will actively participate by presenting a paper, presenting a poster, or chairing a session.
4. Prepare your conference abstract, budget, and supporting documents.
5. Obtain a support letter from your Head of Department.
6. Register for a MyACU account if you do not already have one.
7. Complete and submit the online application before the deadline of October 13, 2026 (15:00 UTC).