Grants for early career researchers at member universities to attend and take part in conferences.
Applications open: 18 August 2026
Applications close: 13 October 2026, 15:00 UTC
Early Career Conference Grants help to ensure that emerging researchers – and the universities that employ them – can benefit from the valuable opportunity of attending and taking part in in-person conferences in Commonwealth countries outside of their country of work.
For emerging academics, taking part in conferences can have a profound impact on their teaching and research. These events are a chance to share research, learn about the latest developments in an area of work, and build valuable professional networks.
Researchers find themselves better informed and better connected with new knowledge that can be shared and multiplied among colleagues and students.
All awardees will be required to complete a report on completion of their award.
What does the grant include?
Seven grants are available at a maximum of GBP 2,000, which can be used to cover:
- Conference registration fee
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Visa costs
- Travel and health insurance
How to apply
Applicants must:
- Be an early career researcher/academic at an ACU member university.
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- Early career researchers/academics are those who are within 7 years of the start of their academic (research/teaching) career, with the exception of those who have had career breaks.
- A career break is a period of time out from employment for personal or professional reasons, including to care for children.
- Be within 7 years of the start of their academic (research/teaching) career, with the exception of those who have had career breaks. A career break is a period of time out from employment for personal or professional reasons, including to care for children.
- Identify a conference that they would like to attend in a Commonwealth country taking place between February 2027 and January 2028.
- Note: Applicants need to be either chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster at the proposed conference.
- Review the application guidance and FAQs.
- Submit an application through the online application form.
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- If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form through this platform when applications open.
- If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.
Applicants cannot:
- Have previously travelled for work purposes (including conferences) outside of their region of employment since the start of their academic career.
- Be a previous recipient of an ACU Early Career Conference Grant (previously known as Early Career Academic Grants).
