Applications open: 29 September 2026
Applications close: 24 November 2026, 15:00 UTC
Ever wondered how to communicate your research to a lay audience and how to pitch and write for the media?
What does this training offer?
This tailor-made training course will provide you with the skills to pitch to and write for the media. Facilitated by Universal Impact / The Conversation, the course will be held online, over two, two-hour sessions and will cover:
- The importance of research communication
- Examples of reach and impact
- The media landscape and the type of stories researchers can write
- What makes a good story (with examples)
- Language, structure and tone
- How to avoid being misrepresented
- How to pitch successfully
At the end of the training sessions, you will be asked to write a 250- to 350-word media pitch and obtain individual feedback during a one-to-one online session. Beginning in summer 2026 with the two hour sessions followed by the one-to-one sessions which may take place over up to a six month period.
The training will take place in early- to mid-2027, comprising of two-hour group sessions, followed by one-to-one sessions. The training will take place over the course of approximately six months.
Twenty places are available for this training course. Only one place will be offered per ACU member university.
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 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.
- Review the FAQs and Application Guidance.
- 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 the platform when applications open.
- If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account, then follow the instructions in the registration email to log into the system before accessing the application form.
Information to help you complete your application.
