ACU Expert Group Fellowships and Grants 2026 Deadline Extended
Program: ACU Expert Group Fellowships and Grants 2026
Organization: Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Deadline: 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
Funding: Up to GBP 13,000 per fellowship; three grants of up to GBP 4,000 each per Expert Group
Themes: Health, Oceans, Sustainable Urbanisation
Reach: Across the Commonwealth
The ACU Expert Group Fellowships and Grants 2026 give researchers, academics, and universities across the Commonwealth more time to apply. The Association of Commonwealth Universities has extended the deadline, and both opportunities now close on 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC.
Program Overview
These ACU Expert Group opportunities are designed around three key areas: Health, Oceans, and Sustainable Urbanisation. However, the two programmes serve different purposes. The fellowship supports individual policy-relevant research, while the grant programme supports collaborative university-led initiatives.
ACU Expert Group Fellowships 2026
The ACU Expert Group Fellowships 2026 are aimed at researchers working on policy-relevant research linked to major global issues affecting Commonwealth countries and the wider international community. The programme also gives fellows the chance to contribute to international policy discussions through their work.
Fellowship research themes
• Health
• Oceans
Applicants are expected to submit research proposals that respond to current challenges, policy gaps, innovative solutions, or evidence-based recommendations in these thematic areas.
Fellowship funding and benefits
✓ Up to GBP 13,000 per fellowship
✓ Support for research activities, project implementation, analysis, dissemination, and policy-focused outputs
✓ International recognition within academic and policy communities
✓ A chance to contribute to major Commonwealth policy discussions
✓ The possibility of presenting research at CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda
✓ Access to an international network of experts, academics, and policymakers across Commonwealth countries
Who should apply
• Researchers
• Academics
• Policy analysts
• University scholars
• Experts in Health or Oceans-related fields
• Early-career and mid-career researchers
Applicants with strong policy-oriented research ideas are strongly encouraged to apply.
ACU Expert Group Grants 2026
The ACU Expert Group Grants 2026 support collaborative university projects and institutional initiatives linked to the ACU Expert Groups. Unlike the fellowships, these grants are meant for practical university-based activities and collaborations.
Grant themes and activities
The grants cover projects connected to:
• Health
• Oceans
• Sustainable Urbanisation
Projects may include:
• Workshops
• Research collaborations
• Knowledge-sharing activities
• Institutional partnerships
• Academic events
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Collaborative projects among universities
Grant funding and value
For each Expert Group:
✓ Three grants of up to GBP 4,000 each will be awarded
✓ Support for smaller-scale but impactful academic and institutional initiatives
✓ Strengthening of Commonwealth collaboration and knowledge exchange
✓ Opportunities for universities to build international academic and policy networks
Who the grant is for
• Universities
• Academic departments
• Research groups
• Institutional partnerships
• Collaborative academic teams
• University-led projects
Applicants should show how their project aligns with the selected thematic area and contributes to collaboration or impact.
Deadline
The deadline for both opportunities is 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC. Applicants should prepare their proposals early and make sure all required documents are submitted before the deadline.
Apply Here
➤ ACU Expert Group Fellowships 2026
➤ ACU Expert Group Grants 2026
