Early Career Academic Grants - Association of Commonwealth Universities

The Association of Commonwealth Universities invites applications for its early-career academic grants. These offer early-career academics the opportunity to attend a conference or academic meeting in a field relevant to the applicant’s area of expertise in another country than their country of employment. The scheme is aimed at academics who have not yet had the opportunity to work, study or travel outside their own country.

The applicant must be employed as a member of academic staff in an ACU member institution and cannot have attended any academic or professional conference outside their home country or region.

A total of 30 grants, worth up to £2,000 each, are available.

Eligibility

At the time of application, applicants must be employed in an academic (research and/or teaching) role by an ACU member institution.

Applications are open to university staff who are less than ten years from the start of their employment in an academic role. Academic staff who have recently returned to work after a career break can also be considered: applicants to whom this criteria applies should make this clear in their application.

Applicants must not have previously worked or attended an academic conference outside their home region.

Conference participation

The conference to be attended must be a recognised academic conference in a field relevant to the applicant’s area of expertise in a country other than the applicant’s country of employment. Applicants must give full details of their chosen conference at the time of application.

Applications will be strengthened by the applicant providing evidence of the submission/acceptance of a paper or poster, or other communication with the conference organisers. Proof of a paper submission/acceptance or other communication must be attached to the application form.

Travel dates

The grant must be used to participate in a conference between 1 June 2018 and 31 December 2018. Applications to attend conferences outside these dates will not be successful.

Amount of grant

The maximum amount of each grant is GBP 2,000. Grants can be used to cover travel and visa costs, conference fees, accommodation and subsistence.

Other terms and conditions

• Applicants must provide a letter of support from their head of department.
• Successful applicants will be responsible for arranging any required visa as well as making their own travel arrangements.
• Grants will be paid in a single instalment to a nominated individual at the grant holder’s home institution.
• Grant holders must provide an account of expenditure and a brief report on how their grant has been spent.
• The ACU aims to achieve a regional and gender balance in selections.
• The ACU reserves the right to publish the names of successful applicants on the ACU website and in ACU publications.

How to apply

To apply please complete this online application form by Wednesday 21 March 2018 at 23:59 BST.