Tag Archives: writing

AUSMP — AUGUSTINE UDEFA SCHOLARSHIP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

LOCATION: USA

The AUSMP is a program administered by the Augustine Udefa Foundation in which applicants with excellent grades, but lacking funding, are mentored and prepared for the award of fully funded scholarships to pursue graduate studies in the United States (U.S.). Accepted applicants are expected to demonstrate enthusiasm to pursue graduate study and devote their time to the mentorship and preparations for the award of the scholarships.

ELIGIBILITY:

The AUSMP is open to applicants from Africa who can demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria and lack funding to pursue graduate studies in the U.S.

You are an individual of African descent.

You have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.00 on a 5.00 scale or 3.00 on a 4.00 scale at both bachelor’s (and master’s, if applicable) levels.

You must demonstrate lack of funding to pursue graduate studies in the U.S.

Application requirements:

Personal statement

Unofficial academic transcript(s)

Cover letter

Curriculum vitae

Three letters of recommendation from academic referees

IELTS or TOEFL scores (if available)

GRE scores (if available)

Prior to submitting their applications, applicants should appraise themselves of the institution they wish to attend in the U.S. and the programs they wish to pursue in those institutions. Applicants should have all the requirements of their proposed institutions before applying for the AUSMP. 

Application deadline: 31 August 2026. New Deadline

NOTE: The deadline for the AUSMP has been extended to accommodate applicants who are interested but were unable to apply before the initial deadline due to some restrictions previously imposed on applicants from some countries in Africa.

Mentorship & preparation: April 15 – October 30

Scholarship start date: Fall or Spring semester (depends on award)

BENEFIT:

The award of fully funded scholarships is available to candidates who demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria.

APPLY

ASSOCIATION COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES EARLY CAREER CONFERENCE GRANTS

Application Opens: 18 August 2026; Deadline: 13 October 2026, 15:00 UTC

LOCATION: United Kingdom

Early Career Conference Grants help to ensure that emerging researchers—and the universities that employ them—can benefit from the valuable opportunity of attending and taking part in in-person conferences in Commonwealth countries outside of their country of work. 

For emerging academics, taking part in conferences can have a profound impact on their teaching and research. These events are a chance to share research, learn about the latest developments in an area of work, and build valuable professional networks.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must: 

Be an early-career researcher/academic at an ACU member university. 

Early career researchers/academics are those who are within 7 years of the start of their academic (research/teaching) career, with the exception of those who have had career breaks.  

A career break is a period of time out from employment for personal or professional reasons, including to care for children. 

Be within 7 years of the start of their academic (research/teaching) career, with the exception of those who have had career breaks. A career break is a period of time out from employment for personal or professional reasons, including to care for children. 

Identify a conference that they would like to attend in a Commonwealth country taking place between February 2027 and January 2028. 

Note: Applicants need to be either chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster at the proposed conference.

Review the application guidance and FAQs.

Submit an application through the online application form.

If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form through this platform when applications open. 

If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.

Applicants cannot: 

Have previously traveled for work purposes (including conferences) outside of their region of employment since the start of their academic career.

Be a previous recipient of an ACU Early Career Conference Grant (previously known as Early Career Academic Grants).

BENEFIT:

Seven grants are available at a maximum of GBP 2,000, which can be used to cover: 

Conference registration fee 

Flights 

Accommodation 

Visa costs 

Travel and health insurance 

APPLY