Are you a university lecturer, researcher, or professional staff member looking for funding to collaborate internationally? The ACU Fellowships might be exactly what you need right now.
The ACU Fellowships are open for applications and provide funding for short research visits to partner universities across the Commonwealth. These fellowships are designed to help academic and professional staff exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and develop collaborative projects.
What makes this fellowship interesting is that you do not need to pursue a full degree. Instead, the ACU Fellowships support focused research visits lasting between one and six months at an ACU member university in another country.
What the ACU Fellowships Support
The ACU Fellowships focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange. Successful applicants travel to a partner university and work on joint research, teaching, or institutional development projects.
Some fellowships in the current round include:
- Accountancy Fellowship (up to GBP 2,500)
- Hong Kong inbound and outbound fellowships
- Collaboration-based research visits
- Knowledge exchange projects
Each fellowship supports partnerships between institutions in different Commonwealth countries.
Application Timeline
If you are interested in the ACU Fellowships, here are the key dates:
- Applications open: 28 April 2026
- Applications close: 25 June 2026 (3 PM UTC)
You should start identifying a collaborator early because this is required before submitting your application.
Who Can Apply
You can apply for the ACU Fellowships if you:
- Work at an ACU member university
- Are academic or professional services staff
- Identify a collaborator at another ACU member institution
- Plan a research or knowledge exchange project
The fellowship specifically promotes collaboration between universities in different countries.
Duration of the Fellowship
The ACU Fellowships support research visits lasting:
- Minimum: 1 month
- Maximum: 6 months
These short visits allow you to develop partnerships without leaving your role for too long.
What You Need for the Application
Applicants for the ACU Fellowships will typically need:
- Project summary
- Expected impact of collaboration
- Professional development benefits
- Planned outputs
- Time plan
- Budget details
- Support letter from home institution
- Support letter from host collaborator
These details help reviewers assess the value and impact of the proposed collaboration.
If you are exploring more fellowships currently open, you should also read: The Eisenhower Fellowships 2027 Application Is Now Open. This fellowship is also ideal for professionals looking to expand their leadership and global networks.
Final Thoughts
The ACU Fellowships offer a practical way for university staff to build international partnerships without committing to a full degree. With a short duration, collaborative focus, and clear funding support, the ACU Fellowships are worth considering before the June deadline.
