ACU Early Career Conference Grants

About the opportunity

The ACU Early Career Conference Grants support emerging researchers and academics at ACU member universities to attend and participate in in-person conferences in Commonwealth countries outside their country of work. Participating in international conferences allows early career researchers to share their research, learn about new developments in their fields, and build global academic networks. Seven grants are awarded per cycle for conferences taking place between February 2027 and January 2028.

Funding and benefits

• Up to seven grants available, capped at GBP 2,000 per awardee.
• Funding covers conference registration fees.
• Funding covers flight costs.
• Funding covers accommodation.
• Funding covers visa costs.
• Funding covers travel and health insurance.

Who can apply?

• Must be an early career researcher or academic at an ACU member university.
• Must be within 7 years of starting an academic career in teaching or research, excluding documented career breaks.
• Must identify an in-person conference taking place in a Commonwealth country outside your country of work between February 2027 and January 2028.
• Must be chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster at the target conference.
• Must not have previously travelled for work purposes, including conferences, outside your region of employment since starting your academic career.
• Must not be a previous recipient of an ACU Early Career Conference Grant (formerly known as Early Career Academic Grants).

Required documents

• Completed online application form via MyACU portal.
• Details and confirmation of presentation, poster, or session chair role at the proposed conference.
• Post-activity report upon completion of the grant.

When to apply

• Applications open: August 18, 2026.
• Applications close: October 13, 2026, at 15:00 UTC.
• Conferences must take place between February 2027 and January 2028.

How to apply

• Create or log in to your MyACU account.
• Review the application guidance and FAQs on the official ACU portal.
• Access the Early Career Conference Grant application form through MyACU.
• Complete and submit the application before the deadline on October 13, 2026, at 15:00 UTC.

Additional information

• Grants are specifically designed for in-person conference participation outside the applicant's country of employment.
• This grant scheme was formerly known as the Early Career Academic Grants.
• All grant recipients are required to submit a final report following the completion of their award.