ACU Gender Grants: Advancing Gender Equity in Higher Education – Apply Before 8 May 2026

Overview

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) offers annual ACU Gender Grants to support projects promoting gender equity and equality within universities across the Commonwealth. These grants provide financial support to member universities for initiatives addressing gender disparities and fostering inclusive academic environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support projects that promote gender equity and equality within universities.
• Develop initiatives that address gender disparities and create inclusive academic environments.
• Implement practical initiatives that drive meaningful change within university environments, such as workshops, training, awareness campaigns, or policy development.
• Support activities that strengthen gender inclusion and address systemic challenges affecting students, staff, and faculty.

Requirements

• Be a staff member at an ACU member university.
• Propose a project or initiative that promotes gender equity or equality.
• Demonstrate how the project will benefit the university community.
• The programme encourages proposals from institutions across the Commonwealth, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries.

Benefits

• Grant funding of up to GBP 2,000 per initiative.
• Support for organizing gender equity activities, including workshop facilitation, training sessions, research or policy development, awareness campaigns, educational programs, material and resource costs, event coordination, and capacity-building activities.
• Specialized guidance on anti-sexual harassment strategies (in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation).
• Access to expert-led online training programs (in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation).
• Follow-up support for implementing policies (in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation).

Location

Global (for the main grants), with a focus on Africa and Asia for grants in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed through the MyACU online portal. This involves reviewing application guidance and FAQs, registering for a MyACU account, logging in, and submitting the application form before the deadline.

Deadline

8 May 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC