The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has opened applications for its 2026 Global Grants, offering undergraduate students from ACU member universities the opportunity to participate in short-term international academic programmes hosted across the Commonwealth.

The funding initiative is designed to promote academic development, international mobility, and cross-cultural collaboration by enabling students to attend summer or winter schools at eligible ACU member institutions in another Commonwealth country. Applications opened on 14 July 2026 and will remain open until 25 August 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

The Global Grants programme reflects the ACU’s commitment to strengthening higher education partnerships and providing students with valuable international learning experiences that enhance their academic and professional development.

Expanding International Learning Opportunities

The ACU Global Grants support undergraduate students who wish to broaden their academic horizons through participation in short-term study programmes outside their home country.

By funding attendance at recognised summer and winter schools, the grants encourage:

International academic collaboration.
Cross-cultural learning and exchange.
Knowledge sharing across Commonwealth universities.
Personal and professional development.
Global networking opportunities.

Students gain exposure to new learning environments while building relationships with peers and academics from across the Commonwealth.

Grant Value

The 2026 Global Grants programme will award 10 grants, each worth up to GBP 5,000, to support successful applicants with costs associated with attending eligible academic programmes.

The awards are distributed as follows:

Five grants are reserved for citizens of the United Kingdom, funded through the generous legacy of the HW Paxton Trust.
Five grants are available to citizens of Commonwealth countries outside the United Kingdom, including individuals holding recognised refugee status in a Commonwealth country.

The funding helps reduce financial barriers to international study and supports greater student participation in global educational opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an ACU member university.
Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country, or hold recognised refugee status in a Commonwealth country.
Identify an eligible academic programme related to their field of study.
Attend a short-term summer or winter school hosted by an ACU member institution located in another Commonwealth country.
Ensure the selected programme has an official start date between 1 December 2026 and 31 August 2027.

Applicants are encouraged to confirm that both their home institution and intended host university are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities before submitting an application.

Required Supporting Documents

Applications must include institutional endorsements demonstrating academic support for the proposed study opportunity.

Applicants are required to submit:

A letter of institutional support from either:
- A departmental head, or
- An academic supervisor or course coordinator.
A letter of support from the host institution offering the proposed academic programme.

These documents help demonstrate both the academic value of the programme and the applicant’s readiness to participate successfully.

Eligible Academic Programmes

The Global Grants are intended exclusively for participation in short-term academic programmes.

Eligible programmes must:

Be recognised summer schools or winter schools.
Be directly related to the applicant’s academic discipline.
Be delivered by an ACU member institution.
Take place in a Commonwealth country different from the applicant’s own.

The programme should provide meaningful academic enrichment while contributing to the student’s broader educational goals.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying should complete the following steps:

Review the official Application Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions.
Create a MyACU account if they do not already have one.
Log into the MyACU portal.
Complete and submit the online application form before the deadline.
Upload all required supporting documentation.

Applicants who already have a MyACU account can access the application form directly after logging into the platform.

About the Association of Commonwealth Universities

Established in 1913, the Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world’s oldest international university network.

Today, the organisation represents more than 400 universities across over 40 Commonwealth countries, with approximately 70% of its member institutions located in low- and middle-income countries.

The ACU works to strengthen higher education through:

International research collaboration.
Student and staff mobility.
Capacity building.
Policy engagement.
Scholarships and grant programmes.
Global partnerships.

Through initiatives such as the Global Grants, the organisation seeks to make international education more accessible while strengthening collaboration among universities throughout the Commonwealth.

Supporting the Next Generation of Global Graduates

The ACU Global Grants offer undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to gain international academic experience while developing intercultural skills and expanding professional networks across the Commonwealth.

By supporting participation in short-term academic programmes abroad, the initiative helps prepare students to become globally engaged graduates capable of contributing to research, innovation, and sustainable development within their home countries and beyond.

Eligible undergraduate students from ACU member universities are encouraged to prepare their applications well before the 25 August 2026 deadline to take advantage of this international study opportunity.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

ACU Opens Applications for Global Grants Supporting Undergraduate Students to Study Across the Commonwealth – Apply By 25 August 2026 ·Unknown