The Association of Commonwealth Universities is offering seven Early Career Conference Grants for 2026–27, with awards of up to £2,000 each for early career researchers and academics at ACU member universities. The funding is designed to help recipients attend and actively participate in conferences in Commonwealth countries outside their country of work, with applications open from 18 August 2026 to 13 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC.
Key facts
- Seven grants are available in the 2026–27 round.
- Each award is worth up to £2,000.
- Applicants must work at an ACU member university and be within seven years of the start of their academic research or teaching career, subject to the programme’s career-break rules.
- The proposed conference must be in a Commonwealth country outside the applicant’s country of work and take place between February 2027 and January 2028.
- Applicants must actively participate by chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster.
What does this mean for early career researchers?
The grant is aimed at early career researchers and academics who need support to present their work internationally. It can help cover registration fees, flights, accommodation, visa costs, and travel and health insurance, reducing the financial burden of taking part in a conference abroad.
To be eligible, applicants must identify a suitable conference in a Commonwealth country outside their country of work, confirm that the event falls between February 2027 and January 2028, and show that they will play an active role at the event. The programme also excludes people who have previously received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant or its earlier Early Career Academic Grant version, and it bars applicants who have already travelled outside their region of employment for work purposes since the start of their academic career.
- Open date: 18 August 2026
- Deadline: 13 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC
- Maximum award: £2,000
- Where the conference must be held: a Commonwealth country outside the country of work
What can the grant pay for?
The funding can be used toward conference registration, international travel, accommodation, visa expenses, and travel and health insurance connected to the conference trip.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be early career researchers or academics at ACU member universities. The programme generally defines early career as within seven years of the start of an academic research or teaching career, while allowing some career breaks to be considered under its guidance.
How do applicants use the grant?
Applicants must apply online through the ACU application system. Those with an existing MyACU account can access the form directly, while new users must register before logging in. The application requires a suitable conference, confirmation of the location and dates, and evidence of an active participation role such as chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster.
Why does ACU say conferences matter?
ACU says conference participation helps early career academics present research, receive feedback, learn about developments in their field, build professional networks, and bring new knowledge back to their home university. The organisation also says the benefits can extend beyond the individual awardee to the wider academic community.
