ACU Early Career Conference Grants 2026–27: Up to £2,000 for Early Career Researchers to Attend Conferences in Commonwealth Countries

Overview

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Early Career Conference Grants 2026–27 offer financial assistance to emerging academics and researchers seeking to engage with international peers. Seven grants of up to GBP 2,000 each are available for staff members at ACU member universities to cover major expenses associated with attending academic conferences outside their home country of work.

Benefits

• Funding of up to GBP 2,000 per awardee
• Coverage for conference registration fees, international flights, and accommodation
• Support for visa expenses, travel insurance, and health insurance
• Opportunities to present research, build professional networks, and bring new perspectives back to home institutions

Eligibility

• Applicants must be early career researchers or academics generally within seven years of starting their academic research or teaching career, with career breaks taken into consideration.
• Applicants must be employed at an ACU member university.
• Applicants must identify a suitable conference held in a Commonwealth country outside their country of work, taking place between February 2027 and January 2028.
• Candidates must actively participate in the conference by presenting a paper, presenting a poster, or chairing a session.
• Applicants must not have previously travelled outside their region of employment for work purposes since the start of their academic career.
• Previous recipients of an ACU Early Career Conference Grant or its earlier Early Career Academic Grants equivalent are ineligible.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the ACU grant application system. New users must register for a MyACU account before logging in to complete the form.

Deadline

Applications for the 2026–27 round close on 13 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC.