Early Career Conference Grants support emerging researchers employed by ACU member universities. The Association of Commonwealth Universities offers seven awards for participation in eligible conferences.
Recipients attend a conference virtually or in person in a Commonwealth country outside their country of work between January 2027 and January 2028. They must chair a session or present a paper or poster.
Benefits & funding
- Seven grants are available, each worth up to GBP 2,000.
- Funding can cover registration and, for in-person attendance, flights, accommodation, visas, and travel and health insurance; applicable taxes and levies remain the recipient’s responsibility and must fit within the cap.
- Payment goes to the recipient’s employing university, and a final report is due within one month after the conference.
Eligibility
- Be employed as an early-career researcher or academic at an ACU member university and be within seven years of starting an academic research or teaching career; career breaks are excepted.
- Have no work-related travel, including conferences, outside the region of employment since starting the academic career.
- Have never received an ACU Early Career Conference Grant or its former Early Career Academic Grant.
- Choose virtual or in-person attendance at a conference in a Commonwealth country outside the country of work, scheduled from January 2027 through January 2028.
- Chair a session, present a paper, or present a poster at that conference.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Experience required
≤ 7 yrs
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Application process
- 1Select an eligible conference and prepare the abstract plus explanations of its research fit, career benefit, knowledge sharing, and SDG relevance.
- 2Obtain a detailed letter or email of support from the head of department.
- 3For in-person attendance, prepare a cost breakdown for the funding request.
- 4Submit one application through the MyACU system by 13 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC.
Program timeline
Applications open
18 August 2026
Application deadline
13 October 2026, 15:00 UTC
Eligible conference window
January 2027–January 2028