Universities around the world play a critical role in shaping inclusive societies. To support this mission, the ACU Gender Grants 2026 are now open for applications, offering funding to support innovative initiatives that advance gender equity and equality in higher education institutions.
Offered annually by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), these grants empower staff members at member universities to design and implement impactful projects that promote gender inclusion, strengthen institutional policies, and support women in leadership and research.
The application deadline is 8 May 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC.
About the ACU Gender Grants
The ACU Gender Grants are designed to help universities implement practical initiatives that foster inclusive campus environments and address systemic gender inequalities. Each year, five grants are awarded to support projects that create sustainable institutional change.
In 2026, the ACU is partnering with the Martha Farrell Foundation to provide up to three grants focused specifically on developing and strengthening anti–sexual harassment policies and strategies within universities. These projects will benefit from the foundation’s expertise, including online training and follow-up support.
Successful applicants will receive funding to cover the costs of organizing activities such as workshops, institutional policy development initiatives, research projects, and awareness campaigns.
Funding Amount
The programme offers:
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Five grants of up to GBP £2,000 each
The funding can be used to support projects, events, or activities that promote gender equality within universities.
Focus Areas for Projects
Proposed initiatives should align with one or more of the following themes:
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Supporting women in leadership positions
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Raising awareness about sexual harassment and creating prevention initiatives
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Supporting women in science and research fields
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Developing effective institutional policies that promote gender equality
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Integrating gender equity principles into academic curricula
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Organizing projects, workshops, or events that promote gender inclusion on campus
Projects that focus on anti–sexual harassment policy development may receive additional support through collaboration with the Martha Farrell Foundation.
What the Grant Supports
The funding can be used to cover expenses related to implementing initiatives that promote gender equality, including:
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Organizing workshops or training sessions
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Hosting conferences or awareness campaigns
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Conducting institutional research or policy development
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Developing educational resources or curriculum integration
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Supporting collaborative gender equity initiatives within universities
Application Requirements
To apply, applicants must complete an online application form through the MyACU platform and provide detailed information about their proposed project.
The application includes several sections:
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Eligibility confirmation
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Project focus and objectives
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Collaboration details
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Project description and implementation plan
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Supporting documents
Applicants must also upload:
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A project plan timeline
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The project lead’s CV
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Confirmation of institutional support
Application Statements
Applicants must respond to seven statements, each between 100 and 300 words. These statements are designed to evaluate the quality, feasibility, and impact of the proposed initiative.
The required statements include:
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Project aims and goals
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Project development and delivery strategy
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Expected institutional impact
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Expected outputs and how they will be used
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Methods for evaluating success
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Detailed budget allocation
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Previous gender-related work undertaken by the applicant
Important Application Guidelines
Applicants should note the following:
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All submissions must be original.
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Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, and plagiarized applications will be automatically disqualified.
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Supporting documentation must be included at the time of submission.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application through the MyACU platform.
Steps to apply:
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Ensure you are a staff member at an ACU member university.
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Review the official application guidance and FAQs.
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Log in to your MyACU account.
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Complete the online application form.
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Upload all required supporting documents.
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Submit the application before the deadline.
If you do not yet have a MyACU account, you must register first and follow the instructions sent via email before accessing the application form.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the ACU Gender Grants 2026 is: 8 May 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
Late submissions will not be accepted.
For more information about this apportunity, click here.
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