ACU Gender Grants

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible staff members to apply for the ACU Gender Grants offered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

The grant programme supports initiatives that promote gender equity and equality within universities, helping institutions design projects, policies, and activities that foster inclusive and supportive academic environments.

Programme Overview
ACU Gender Grants are awarded annually to member universities to support institutional initiatives that advance gender equity and equality on campus. The grants may be used to organise projects, workshops, and events that address gender-related challenges within higher education institutions and strengthen institutional approaches to inclusion and equality.

Activities funded under the programme may focus on areas such as:

  • Supporting women in leadership roles

  • Raising awareness of sexual harassment and developing anti-sexual harassment initiatives

  • Supporting women in science and research

  • Developing or strengthening institutional gender policies

  • Integrating gender equity principles into teaching and curricula

The programme aims to encourage practical initiatives that create lasting institutional impact and strengthen gender-responsive policies and practices within universities.

Special Partnership Initiative
The Association of Commonwealth Universities is partnering with the Martha Farrell Foundation to support initiatives focused on preventing sexual harassment in higher education institutions.

Up to three of the five available Gender Grants will support projects that develop or strengthen anti-sexual harassment policies and strategies. These grants are available to staff members from ACU member universities in Africa and Asia and will include online training and follow-up support from the Martha Farrell Foundation.

Funding Support
The programme will award five grants of up to GBP 2,000 each to support activities that promote gender equity and equality within ACU member institutions.

Funding is intended to help cover the costs of organising initiatives, workshops, or projects that contribute to strengthening gender-responsive practices on campus.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be staff members at an ACU member university. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the planned initiative will contribute to promoting gender equality, strengthening institutional policies, or supporting women’s participation and leadership in academia.

Application Process
Applicants are required to review the programme guidance and frequently asked questions before submitting their applications.

Applications must be submitted through the online application form available on the MyACU platform. Applicants who already have a MyACU account may access the application system directly when the call opens. Those without an account must first register and activate their MyACU profile before completing the application.

Application Timeline
Applications open on 5 March 2026 and close on 8 May 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

For more info: Gender grants | ACU

Interested staff members at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology are encouraged to contact the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) for institutional guidance before preparing and submitting their applications.