About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is inviting applications for its Early Career Conference Grants 2026/27, supporting emerging researchers and academics at ACU member universities to attend and actively participate in international conferences in Commonwealth countries outside their country of employment.
The grants are designed to help early-career academics share their research, gain exposure to new developments in their fields, build professional networks and bring new knowledge back to their universities.
What Does the Grant Provide?
Seven grants are available, with each grant worth up to £2,000.
The funding can contribute towards:
Conference registration fees
International flights
Accommodation
Visa costs
Travel and health insurance
Awardees will be required to submit a report after completing their funded conference participation.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
Be an early-career researcher or academic employed by an ACU member university.
Be within seven years of starting their academic research/teaching career.
Have a career break considered where applicable, including breaks for personal or professional reasons such as caring responsibilities.
Identify an in-person conference in a Commonwealth country taking place between January 2027 and January 2028.
Be actively participating in the proposed conference by chairing a session, presenting a paper or presenting a poster.
Important Eligibility Restrictions
Applicants cannot:
Have previously travelled outside their region of employment for work purposes, including attending conferences, since beginning their academic career.
Have previously received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant, formerly known as the Early Career Academic Grants.
PhD students are not eligible simply because they are students. Applicants must be employed as early-career researchers/academics at an ACU member university. Postdoctoral researchers can apply if they meet the employment and other eligibility requirements.
What Will Applicants Need?
The application requires information about the proposed conference, including:
Conference details and a copy of the abstract
Whether the conference is in-person or virtual
Why the conference is relevant to the applicant's research
How participation will support career and professional development
How knowledge gained will be shared with colleagues and students
Relevant Sustainable Development Goals
A detailed letter or email of support from the applicant's head of department
A detailed breakdown of costs for in-person conference attendance
How to apply