Opportunity: ACU Expert Group Fellowships and Grants 2026
Host Organization: Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Closing Date: 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
Support Offered: Up to GBP 13,000 for each fellowship; three grants of up to GBP 4,000 each per Expert Group
Focus Areas: Health, Oceans, Sustainable Urbanisation
Scope: Commonwealth-wide
The ACU Expert Group Fellowships and Grants 2026 bring funding opportunities for researchers and universities working across the Commonwealth. The Association of Commonwealth Universities has extended the deadline, so both programmes now close on 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC.
What the programmes cover
The two opportunities are linked to the ACU Expert Groups, but they are built for different kinds of applicants. The fellowship is for individual policy-relevant research, while the grant is for university-led collaboration and institutional activity. Both are connected to the same three thematic areas: Health, Oceans, and Sustainable Urbanisation.
Fellowship support under ACU Expert Group Fellowships 2026
The fellowship strand supports researchers who are working on major global issues that affect Commonwealth countries and the wider international community. It is meant for policy-relevant research, and successful fellows may use the funding for research work and policy-focused outputs.
Fellowship focus areas
• Health
• Oceans
Applicants are expected to propose research that responds to current challenges, policy gaps, innovative solutions, or evidence-based recommendations in these areas.
Fellowship benefits
✓ Up to GBP 13,000 per fellowship
✓ Financial support for research activities, project implementation, analysis, dissemination, and policy outputs
✓ Visibility in international academic and policy communities
✓ Contribution to discussions at major Commonwealth forums
✓ A possible presentation opportunity at CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda
✓ Membership in an international network of experts, academics, and policymakers across Commonwealth countries
Fellowship eligibility
• Researchers
• Academics
• Policy analysts
• University scholars
• Experts in Health or Oceans-related fields
• Early-career and mid-career researchers
The source also encourages applicants with strong policy-oriented research ideas.
Grant support under ACU Expert Group Grants 2026
The grant programme is designed for collaborative university projects and institutional initiatives linked to the ACU Expert Groups. It supports practical work rather than individual research, and it is aimed at academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Grant themes and project types
The grants are available for 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 value and purpose
For each Expert Group:
✓ Three grants of up to GBP 4,000 each will be awarded
✓ Support for small-scale but meaningful academic and institutional initiatives
✓ Stronger collaboration among Commonwealth universities
✓ Better connection with international academic and policy communities
✓ Space for innovation and interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges
Grant eligibility
• Universities
• Academic departments
• Research groups
• Institutional partnerships
• Collaborative academic teams
• University-led projects
Applicants should demonstrate that their project fits the selected theme and contributes to collaboration or impact.
Deadline and application
The deadline for both the fellowship and the grants is 9 June 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC. The source states that applicants should begin preparing early and submit all required documents before the closing date.
Apply Here
➤ ACU Expert Group Fellowships 2026
➤ ACU Expert Group Grants 2026
